VIDEO: Corpus Christi City Council voted for the fire department to apply for the SAFER grant Tuesday. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) helps fire departments with funding to maintain staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
Corpus Christi Fire Department Fire Chief Brandon Wade said the $4 million dollar grant could help with achieving the national standard and a faster response time. “From the time the call comes in to us getting on scene is within eight minutes, at least 90% of the time,” Wade said. “Right now, we only have eight of our 22 apparatus with four person staffing. So the fire department needs 86 more positions in order for us to put four persons on every fire truck, every day and meet that national standard.” Wade explained the grant will help the city pay a part of the costs to hire firefighters.
