WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the City of Salisbury’s Fire Department was awarded grants through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to hire 12 firefighters. Salisbury has been awarded $1,038,912 in federal funds. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program. Senator Cardin is a member of the Finance and Budget committees.
“Now more than ever, we need to make sure that we have the first responders in place that are needed to protect our families and communities,” Senator Cardin said. “From fires to natural disasters to possible terrorist threats, communities cannot shoulder this burden alone. It is important that we provide the federal investment that is needed so communities can hire the first responders that are needed to protect us from harm.”
“I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it’s the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” Senator Mikulski said. “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face. That’s why I fight every year for the staffing, equipment and training our protectors and communities deserve.”
The Salisbury Fire Department will use the grant funds to hire 12 firefighters necessary to protect residents and maintain a full staff. Due to the economic downturn, this has not been possible in two out of the three Salisbury stations in four years. For more information, please contact Chief Richard Hoppes at the Salisbury Fire Department at (410) 548-3120.
The goal of any SAFER grant is to enhance the ability of grantees to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing. The objective of the program is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters, and to rehire firefighters who were laid off due to the economy.
Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have received more than $107 million in fire grant funding, more than $10.1 million of which has gone to fire departments and EMS units in Montgomery County.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
38 comments:
that alocates like 86,000 plus dollars per newhire. Does that also include the equipment needed to do the job.
One million dollars for 12 firefighters...really....what a waste of taxpayer money. If Salisbury doesn't have the resources to hire more firemen...they should do without. I live on a budget....so should Salisbury.
The DHS should be in business to protect us, not be handing out money for political reasons. So if a bunch of terrorist are heading up the Wicomico River with bombs we are supposed the hose them down with the new fire boat. Not counting call outs for EMTs how many actual fire call outs does Salisbury have a year?
And when the grant money runs out, then what?
Maybe sell the boat.
We don't need any more crybabies who can't get along with others in the sandbox.
Turn that money down or use if for police, something we really need and doesn't come with the constant bickering of members of the F.D.
This is a 1 year grant. What happens at the end of the grant? Will the city pick it up? I know for fact they are short staffed and this is needed. I am familiar with the grant programs and have read several articles about municipalities turning down the grants because they do not have resources to support the grants. Good Luck Salisbury. Free money from uncle Sam is never truely free!!!
How about hiring 12 more policemen!
Just say NO
How about we get extra firemen for a year and say thank you? I would rather have the extra protection (not to mention the extra jobs) for a only a year than not at all.
Like all grants, at the end of the grant the city has to pick up the salaries.
Grants are like welfare, unemployment to City and other Government agencies.
We hand over all this money and let the municipalities build themselves up, then when the grant money runs out the tax payers are now having to make up difeerence. Its like the local governments being on CRACK.
Why are we even doing grants? If the country is in trouble, why do we have grants like this? in 365 days who pays for the salaries? who pays for benefits, retirement?
BAD BAD MOVE! Senetors keep getting fat on taxpayers and spend money with open check book to make them look good....
The truth is the department is below the minimum staffing now. The twelve postitions will bring the department closer to adequate staffing. There are times when ems calls have to be covered by outside departments. With this grant there will be more boots on the street, meaning it will be easier to cover the departments calls. Remember ems calls generate revenue for the city. Yes it may not cover the funding for the twelve positions, but it is a start. Plus it means that the men and women already working in the department will be safer. This increase in staffing, will put the department closer to the NFPA minimum requirements. Plus makes the tax-payers of the city safer, because the department can cover YOU better. It is truely a good thing.
"Since 2001, Maryland fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units have received more than $107 million in fire grant funding, more than $10.1 million of which has gone to fire departments and EMS units in Montgomery County."
The last paragraph proves this is a generic cut and paste letter by the Senators. The same letter sent to all the recipients. They don't even have enough sense to realize they are talking about Salisbury and not Montgomery County.
1. wouldn't it be great if that money never had to leave our households to go in the form of taxes to the government? if they have that kind of money to "buy" votes aka political favors; they have too much money.
2. others have already said; this is just a grant. once that's over we have to pick up the tab. this whole idea is STUPID. stupid is as stupid does...
3. if our leaders are smart they will turn this down now.
I am not saying it is bad to have more people, I am saying it is just a quick fix for the problem. If the FD needs more people, then they should budget for it.
WHAT are the plans to pay for salaries after the grant? I understand that EMS calls make money. So are you saying that Salisbury bills like the doctor? way over for services. At one time EMS supplies were obtained from hospital, billed to patient from hospital, and billed again by ambulance. Where does Salisbury get their EMS supplies? Hospital, so are you billing for drugs, and IV's when you get them for free from hosptal.
If you are a volunteer service, how are you billing? If you are all career, how are you billing?
Tax payers pay a tax for the service, so why are you billing? Is it becuase the insurance pays? How much do you write off compaired to what you get in?
If that is the case, is it only people who can afford insurnace paying? then they should be the ones that get transported first right?
I keep seeing people make the same comment over and over in this and other articles
" when the grant money runs out the taxpayers will have to pick up the tab"
Some people just don't get it....WE the tax payers gave the govt the money ( thru our taxes) to provide the grant in the 1st place so how free is this grant money SMH......
Newsflash! Hoppes is not the chief of the department. He is only an "acting" chief.
That's what we need , 12 more men asleep on the job.12 more men playinmg pool all day. 12 more men eating and watching TV.12 more men joy riding in our equipment. 12 more men to go for a boat ride on the new fire boat. 12 more children , I should say.
This drives me crazy. These out of control senators still think that spending taxpayers money is a path to reelection. The government is broke and cannot continue this type of spending. This simply cannot be justified and the senators should be ashamed of themselves for this action.
The need is for paramedics not firefighters.
CAN ANY ONE ANSWER THIS?
Anonymous said...
I am not saying it is bad to have more people, I am saying it is just a quick fix for the problem. If the FD needs more people, then they should budget for it.
WHAT are the plans to pay for salaries after the grant? I understand that EMS calls make money. So are you saying that Salisbury bills like the doctor? way over for services. At one time EMS supplies were obtained from hospital, billed to patient from hospital, and billed again by ambulance. Where does Salisbury get their EMS supplies? Hospital, so are you billing for drugs, and IV's when you get them for free from hosptal.
If you are a volunteer service, how are you billing? If you are all career, how are you billing?
Tax payers pay a tax for the service, so why are you billing? Is it becuase the insurance pays? How much do you write off compaired to what you get in?
If that is the case, is it only people who can afford insurnace paying? then they should be the ones that get transported first right?
The need is for paramedics not firefighters.
July 27, 2012 11:37 AM
No thanks. We already have enough napoleons who think they are gods.
You punks think you are better than doctors and nurses, go to school and BECOME one.
Not saying I don't appreciate what you do. Just do your job and move along so I don't have to talk to you and your inflated egos.
And if some of you don't want to go out on calls because people don't kiss your butt enough, quit.
You are taking the spot of someone who actually wants to be there and WANTS to help people.
Anonymous said...
This is a 1 year grant. What happens at the end of the grant? Will the city pick it up? I know for fact they are short staffed and this is needed. I am familiar with the grant programs and have read several articles about municipalities turning down the grants because they do not have resources to support the grants. Good Luck Salisbury. Free money from uncle Sam is never truely free!!!
July 27, 2012 9:44 AM
So tell us for a fact how the Salisbury Fire Department is short staffed? Tell us for a fact what minimum staffing is? Tell us for a fact who will pay for the salaries of 12 firemen after the money runs out? Tell us for a fact why the Salisbury Fire Department isn't recruiting and retaining volunteers?
July 27, 2012 12:01 PM
Anonymous said...
The need is for paramedics not firefighters.
July 27, 2012 11:37 AM
No thanks. We already have enough napoleons who think they are gods.
You punks think you are better than doctors and nurses, go to school and BECOME one.
Not saying I don't appreciate what you do. Just do your job and move along so I don't have to talk to you and your inflated egos.
And if some of you don't want to go out on calls because people don't kiss your butt enough, quit.
You are taking the spot of someone who actually wants to be there and WANTS to help people.
July 27, 2012 12:45 PM
This idiot is to stupid to understand the concept of paramedics being more in demand and why! Any moron can put water on a fire, what few there are.
A paramedic can do what a fireman can do, but a fireman can't do what a paramedic does! Get the picture!
From another blog.
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Anonymous said...
Who pays for the new employees when the grant money is gone.
July 27, 2012 8:37 AM
Jonathan T. said...
As a citizen of Salisbury I hope our City Government does. I despise the excuse of not accepting grants for that reason.
July 27, 2012 8:40 AM
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Notice how he says he is a citizen and not a tax payer.
What a sponge off society!!
Figure that the city will need to find ongoing yearly costs of $1.4M beginning in year two. That will require cutting costs elsewhere or finding a new funding source such as raising taxes. Aren't Grants wonderful?
This idiot is to stupid to understand the concept of paramedics being more in demand and why! Any moron can put water on a fire, what few there are.
A paramedic can do what a fireman can do, but a fireman can't do what a paramedic does! Get the picture!
July 27, 2012 1:04 PM
You, with your limited vocabulary, want to suggest that someone has an inability to grasp a concept?!
It is quite obvious to me, and maybe others, that YOU cannot grasp what is right in front of you.
As a matter of fact, I will go one step further and state that I think YOU are one of the ones to which I was referring.
I was in no way preferring a fireman over a paramedic to be hired.
If you go back and READ what I wrote, you SHOULD see that I was in favor of not only NOT hiring firefighters, I didn't endorse hiring paramedics either, for reasons stated in my first comment.
And if you are associated with any fire dept. or paramedic unit, you are exactly the type of person whom I was referring.
Considering your apparent lack of intelligence shown in your comment, I would bet money you are a VOLUNTEER whatever.
You don't seem smart enough or skilled enough to be a PAID ff or medic.
Now go polish your blue light and keep hoping there is a fire or accident so you can ride on the equipment and pretend you are somebody.
This $1 Million mistake needs to stay at the top for a couple of days. There is an upcoming press conference on this.
Mayor James Ireton, Jr. invites the public to a Monday, July 30, 2012 announcement of a $1,038,921 grant to the Salisbury Fire Department from United States Department of Homeland Security.
Through Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a SAFER, or Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response, the Salisbury Fire Department will hire 12 firefighters for a 2 year period.
Mayor Ireton and representatives of United States Senator Barbara Mikulski and United States Senator Ben Cardin will make the SAFER announcement at Salisbury Fire Headquarters on Monday, July 30, 2012 at Noon. Headquarters are located at 325 Cypress Street in Salisbury.
“I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it’s the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” said U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), who as a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program. “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face. That’s why I fight every year for the staffing, equipment and training our protectors and communities deserve.”
“Now more than ever, we need to make sure that we have the first responders in place that are needed to protect our families and communities,” U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) said. “From fires to natural disasters to possible terrorist threats, communities cannot shoulder this burden alone. It is important that we provide the federal investment that is needed so communities can hire the first responders that are needed to protect us from harm.”
Mayor Ireton said, “Senator Mikulski’s and Senator Cardin’s commitment to first responders is unparalleled. Our community is grateful for their representation in Washington and the relationship they have formed with Salisbury.”
###
http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/cityclerk/briefingbook/FireDeptGrant73012.pdf
I sure hope none of you nay sayers ever need emergency services
What ever happend to a system of paid firemen to get the equipment to the fire scene immediately, and
have volunteers respond to the call, from their homes or jobs. Under that system, it was truly community service on the part of the volunteers, and donations rather than grants for funding. If you needed 12 more firefighters, you trained 12 more volunteers.
One MILLION big ones saved ---- Cha-Ching!!!
I may be wrong, but I don't think the city council has approved this grant. If this is the case then Jim Liarton is using this press conference as another opportunity to attack the 3 good council members.
If the city was short on revenue and had to furlough employees the past 2 years then where does Jim Ireton think the extra revenue in the amount of over $1 million is going to come from in 2 more years?
I sure hope none of you nay sayers ever need emergency services
July 27, 2012 5:09 PM
I was wondering how long it would take before some moron said that. I hope you're not a ff, or at least not a paid one.
Anonymous said...
I sure hope none of you nay sayers ever need emergency services
July 27, 2012 5:09 PM
Uh Oh!! Here goes the moron with the scare tactics again.
I sure hope none of you nay sayers ever need emergency services
July 27, 2012 5:09 PM
Whoop, there it is.
The famous line that is used by ff's and police alike, when things are not going their way and someone has the AUDACITY to say NO.
Always the same. If they don't get their way they will pick up all their toys from the sandbox and go home.
Just think guys, when someone tells you no in the near future, you can toss them off a million dollar boat into the river.
Heck, then you can even use the aforementioned boat to rescue them from said river.
There ya go. Your very first rescue. Boy, it's a good thing we got that boat now isn't it?
I hope the city of Salisbury has plenty of insurance for that boat and the people that will be on it.
I don't know how long it will take but I'm just as sure as I'm sitting here that that boat will incur some damage.
Joe, we should start a pool. lol
Mayor Jim is presiding over the decline in a city where all the taxpayers are leaving. That leaves his hospital, his fire department, his developer friends, and the non paying servants in a armed camp. And the new bike paths so important to the future of the city.
City employees know this, it will be the tax payers versus you until you know and understand that making three times what the local educated common man makes, is not fair. Working paychecks to paycheck, dealing with no health care paid by others, and fighting for a good public school education, we do this everyday. We don't know what a cost of leaving + a step increase means in our pay grade, nor 24 paid holidays, nor company cars, health care. For us, it is simply seeing a future beyond the end of the month.
Public servants you are not!
Anonymous said...
I hope the city of Salisbury has plenty of insurance for that boat and the people that will be on it.
July 28, 2012 12:11 AM
I heard the city's insurance carrier refused to insure the boat? Is this true? How much extra does this cost the tax payers
It's always a waste of taxpayer's money until you actually need it. Then the same people will be saying oh thank god they were there to help. Get over yourselves people.
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