LISA HOBBS – News Editor
McMinnville Fire Department has received initial approval to accept a $105,691 FEMA grant for EMT training.
“We applied for a FEMA grant, an EMT Assistance Firefighter Grant,” stated Fire Chief Marty White.
The grant will allow 10 firefighters to attend EMT basic certification training and would cover required shift-coverage overtime. The grant is a 95 percent federal share and a required 5 percent local match of $5,032. This is a reimbursement grant, requiring upfront city expenditures prior to drawing down awarded federal funds.
According to White, the training would be conducted at the city’s Fire Station One.
“The grant won’t just pay for the class itself, the uniforms and overtime hours. It will also pay to back fill the shifts, so the guys on duty won’t have to leave. They can stay in class, if a call goes out.”
As for the city’s portion, White added that it would require more than $5,032 to send two firefighters to EMT school and that this training would bump the number of EMTs within the department to 25.
“Right now, we have 14 EMTs that work for us. I have one in EMT school right now. When this goes through and everybody passes, we would have 25 EMTs working for us,” White stated.
Once the classes begin, training takes approximately three months.
Aldermen Keri Morton questioned when those classes would begin, with White replying that a time will be set after he gains final city approval to accept the grant.
The city Safety Committee met on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Members Morton, Sally Brock and Deitra Dunlap approved accepting the grant.
McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approval is required. Its next regular session is Tuesday, Oct. 13.