East Liverpool City Council will vote Monday on legislation passed on to council as a whole from the Finance Committee that if passed would allow the East Liverpool Fire Department to hire an additional four firefighters.

Fire Chief Antony Cumo told the Finance Committee which met on Tuesday that the city had been awarded a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant, which if approved would provide the city the unique opportunity to strengthen their fire protection, improve firefighter safety and community service and reduce overtime.

“As fire chief, my responsibilities are first to the safety of the residents and visitors of the City of East Liverpool, second to the men and women of the East Liverpool Fire Department and third to be fiscally responsible and transparent with the department’s budget, serving as a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” Cumo said in a media release. “Accepting this grant allows us to achieve all three of these priorities.”

Cumo also told the committee that with the hiring of the four firefighters would allow for the first time in the department’s history to staff the first out fire apparatus to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) staffing standards with four firefighters.

The department’s budget allows for a staffing of 15, but the department has a staff of 14.

According to Cumo with this staffing overtime is unavoidable and costly.

As of pay period #20 for this year overtime costs are at $180,663.63. Cumo noted this is down slightly compared to previous years and being fully staffed at 15 would save an additional $26,836.81 in overtime costs. He said that looking ahead to a department possibly staffed at 18 through the SAFER Grant, overtime saving be even greater at a $128,913 (YTD) which would provide the city significant cost relief.

An additional four firefighters would put six firefighters on each of the three shifts.

Cumo told the committee in 2024 EMS (Emergency Medical Services/Squad) billing produced revenue of $259,526.90. He pointed out that per the city’s ordinance revenue must cover the wages and benefits of the three lowest paid firefighters which total $197,287.35 which leaves $62,239 to help fund additional salaries or begin a capital improvement fund. He also noted that in 2022 and 2023 the city without any EMS revenue was able to cover the cost of the three lowest paid firefighters.

“This means the current EMS revenue and any other leftover funds can be directed towards sustaining the positions created through the safer grant,” Cumo said.

Council Member/Finance Committee Chair Fred Rayl had some questions regarding the grant and finances.

Cumo noted that last year the department was not able to respond to 154 calls but with the grant approval and four additional firefighters, the department would be able to put a second squad into service which would generate additional revenue and allow them to extend service into the township. He also noted there had been several incidents in the past week in the city where a second squad would have been helpful.

Council Member Brian Kerr said if it wasn’t for the ability to bring on a second squad he would not support the ordinance, but with having a second squad he is 100% in favor of it.

Cumo addressed the overtime issue and how costly it is and wearing on the firefighters, but with the grant and the additional firefighters, the overtime would be drastically reduced, and the grant would pay for itself.

Tom Beagle asked if turning down the grant would hurt the city.

Cumo responded that it would and that this is grant that is difficult to get and that a department has to show a demonstrated need to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to be considered. He said that the fact that they received the grant for the additional firefighters shows that FEMA sees a need for the department to have them.

Turning down the grant may also impact the department’s chances in the future for additional FEMA grants for tools, equipment and more. While acceptance of this grant will make it easier for the department to qualify for other FEMA grants in the future.

Rayl questioned if the city has to hire four fire fighters and Cumo responded by saying the grant is for three firefighters in addition to the one the department to bring them back to the 15 their budget covers. If they do not hire four firefighters, the grant will not be awarded.

Rayl asked what would happen in the grant in the event of a layoff, Cumo answered that the department would have to pay the grant back then but he isn’t anticipating any layoffs, and that during the three-year period covered by the grant the department would be generating more revenue with a second squad saving a great deal of money on overtime and have time to ensure the funds are there to cover the additional firefighters after the grant period.

The East Liverpool Fire Department was one of the first departments to receive the SAFER grant award for this year.

The SAFER Grant cost shares the salaries for three additional firefighters for the first three years with the city being responsible for 25% ($48,000) of the salaries in the first year and the second year at $49,000; and 65% ($130,000) in the third year. Cumo noted that the costs are estimated, and they could be slightly higher or lower depending on the benefits.

“This reduces the city’s financial burden while providing time to build long-term financial strategies,” Cumo said. “The savings realized during this period can be redirected into a capital improvements fund to purchase essential equipment and maintain a modern effective fire department.”

Cumo reiterated that approval of the grant is a strategic investment that will allow the city to fully staff the department, cut overtime costs, utilize EMS more effectively and prepare for the future with dedicated funds for capital needs.

“Most importantly, it provides better protection for residents and creates a safer working environment for our firefighters,” Cumo said.

East Liverpool City Council meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in council chambers at East Liverpool City Hall. The next regular meeting will be held Oct. 6.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com