The city of St. Cloud has received a $9.5 million federal grant that will allow St. Cloud Fire Rescue to hire 48 additional firefighters.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) program, which is designed to help fire departments improve staffing and response capabilities. St. Cloud Fire Rescue said the new positions will support staffing needs for future fire stations, enabling faster response times to areas of the city experiencing rapid population growth.
“The St. Cloud City Council and I are enormous supporters of improving public safety for our residents,” Mayor Chris Robertson said. “It is exciting to be able to grow this department to meet the demands of our community.”
The grant represents the largest in St. Cloud’s history, officials said. It comes amid increasing emergency calls over the past few years. Since 2022, the city’s 911 call center has averaged more than 100,000 calls annually, as the population has grown to more than 70,000 residents — nearly a 20% increase since the last U.S. Census.
Fire Chief Jason Miller said the additional firefighters will help maintain the quality of service the department provides.
“When you or your loved ones need emergency help, knowing you have a well-trained, caring, and professional fire department minutes away makes all the difference,” Miller said. In recent years, the city has invested millions in fire rescue, including funding for new stations, a training facility, and a tower truck.
