Staffing for adequate fire and emergency response (SAFER)

The City of Syracuse was awarded a $7,595,180 SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on March 2, 2025. The 3-year grant project, running through March 1, 2028, will support the city's efforts to enhance its firefighter staffing and deployment capabilities to improve emergency response and ensure adequate fire protection for the community. The SAFER Grant Program, with CFDA number 97.083, provides financial assistance to local fire departments to strengthen their personnel resources and bolster their capacity to respond to emergencies. Through this award, the City of Syracuse's Bureau of Research will administer the grant to fund the hiring of additional firefighters and support the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters, with the overall goal of ensuring the city has the necessary personnel to effectively address fire and other emergency incidents.