California’s Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority (SVFRA) recently received $3,382,458 grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s SAFER program.
Authorities said the allotment would fund 12 Firefighter/Paramedic positions, enabling an increase in staffing levels on four-engine companies while providing heightened services to the City of Sonoma, Glen Ellen, and Valley of the Moon.
“Pleased to announce more than $3.3 million in grant funding for our local Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority to increase staffing and better serve our valley communities,” Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) said in announcing the funding agreement with Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority Chief Stephen Akre. “Each and every day, our first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it’s critical we work to support their efforts by helping them access training and resources to hire more firefighters and paramedics. Proud of Chief Akre and his entire team for receiving this important grant to help our entire community.”
Akre said the grant would allow the department to provide an increased level of service to all of the communities it serves.
“This award will bring our staffing level to three Firefighter/Paramedics on each engine,” he said. “This increased staffing is closer to national standards and will enable us to provide more effective and safer service. We are very thankful to Congressman Thompson and his support of our grant request and to FEMA and DHS for their support of these critically important service improvements.”