The Minneapolis Fire Department has received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for 15 additional firefighters for a three-year period beginning March 1, 2023.
“I am very excited about the SAFER grant award to the Minneapolis Fire Department. As MFD incident responses continue to rise each year, the award will allow the department to add an additional 15 firefighters to our ranks, bringing the MFD to its highest authorized strength in approximately two decades,” said Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help the department fully staff many of its busiest rigs and maintain daily staffing levels with minimal need for overtime expenditures.
“Adding 15 full-time firefighters to our ranks will prove significant impact citywide,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “This federal funding allows us to expand our Fire Department’s capacity at a time when first responders are in great need. I’m grateful to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for their investment in Minneapolis – and I commit to penning this into ongoing funding when the three-year grant is complete.”
When the new firefighters join the department, there will be a minimum of 434 sworn personnel with plans for up to 445 firefighters.
“I’m grateful to FEMA for this significant funding to help increase our Fire Department’s capacity. We depend on our firefighters to do so much to keep all of us safe,” said Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, chair of the City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee. “Firefighters are community heroes, and these additional resources will strengthen their ability to respond to fires and other emergencies in the city.”
