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Politics & Government

Village Board Approves Fire Department Applying For Federal Staffing Grant

SAFER grant would pay salary of two firefighters for two years if awarded.

The Caledonia Village Board gave its blessing on Tuesday to the to pursue a federal grant to pay for additional firefighters.  

The Staffing For Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant will pay the salaries of two firefighters for two years if the department's grant application is approved. 

The Village Board unanimously approved giving fire department officials permission to complete the application. 

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"We have agreed to begin the paper without making any specific commitments without having more information," said Trustee Keith Wanggaard, who chairs the Finance Committee which brought the item to the village board. 

The grant stipulates a maintenance of effort on the part of departments that are awarded the salaries. In Caledonia's case, it must maintain a staffing level of 30 firefighters during the two years. 

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"There is no retention after two years of the individuals so, if at that point in time, the village deems it economically impossible to maintain them they could be let loose," Fire Chief Richard Roeder said.  

The chief believes that the department will have a high turnover in the next few years due to the tenure of the firefighters. 

Roeder said he would examine whether the two hired firefighters would be able to move to a vacated position or how seniority would apply in their case. 

The deadline for the federal grant application is Aug. 10. 

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