KINGSTON – A three-year SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant to Kingston will enhance its firefighting efforts, city Common Council President James Noble says.
The $690,000, three-year funding would help the city reduce overtime costs that are generated by not having manpower to cover 24 hours of shifts, he said following Tuesday night’s common council meeting.
“It helps the city to maintain firefighters, or hire firefighters, and it would give an additional firefighter for four shifts, which would help us reduce overtime and that’s why it’s favorable to do it,” said Noble.
The city has yet to accept the grant funds.
Mayor Noble asked that the matter be voted on by the Finance Committee in August. Council President Noble said the common council will vote on a resolution to accept the funds in September.
