Supervisors authorize $4.34 million grant application for new County Fire & Rescue staffing

The Warren County Board of Supervisors committed to a long-term fix for staffing shortages throughout the County’s Fire & Rescue Department by authorizing a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant application to add 18 full-time firefighter positions across the system’s paid and volunteer departments. The total value of the grant is estimated at $4,343,586 over a three-year period.

It would appear the county’s elected officials have committed to maintaining the staffing beyond the three-year grant period as new Fire Chief James Bonzano has outlined staffing numbers necessary to achieve acceptable levels of public safety for county citizens on both sides of the town/county line across several previous work sessions, culminating with the March 2 unanimous vote of approval of the grant application.

On Tuesday, March 2, the county supervisors unanimously agreed to launch the effort to add 18 full-time paid firefighters to the County system with federal grant assistance covering the first 3 years. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

Now comes the tough part – achieving the grant administered through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) being competed for nationally. Information provided to the supervisors noted that the federally overseen SAFER Grant Program is anticipated to distribute a total of approximately $355 million through an estimated 300 grants to be awarded. September 30 of this year is the date the grant awards are anticipated to be announced. But with a demonstrable public safety need, and apparent County commitment to maintaining the additional staff the grant would enable, hope is the application will be successful.

If the SAFER Grant is achieved, the annual cost to fund the 18 full-time county firefighter positions at current pay rates is $1,447,862. The SAFER Grant would cover 100% of that cost for three years, after which the County will be required to cover the additional personnel costs. An agenda packet summary prepared by County Fire & Rescue noted associated costs totaling $252,000 over the three-year grant period, $180,000 in year one and $36,000 in years two, three that the County will have to provide if the grant is realized. Those associated costs at $36,000 per year would continue beyond the grant period. With those associated costs related to equipment, required physicals, and other peripheral expenses, an annual County funding commitment of over $1.48 million on top of the department’s current budget will be necessary to maintain the new staff after the three-year grant period.

But with several supervisors having observed in the past that protecting public safety is a core governmental function, it appears they are collectively willing to bite the bullet to do what is necessary financially to adequately provide that crucial property and often life-preserving function. And Supervisor Delores Oates noted during board discussion with Chief Bonzano Tuesday that some new staffing costs when assumed by the County will be offset by eliminating current overtime pay required to meet existing staffing shortages.

New County Fire & Rescue Chief James Bonzano, left, flanked by Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico, makes the case for a County commitment to permanent adequate across-the-board staffing for his department. And no, Bonzano and Maiatico are not moonlighting as reporters. They just took advantage of the media table with reporters continuing to attend virtually during pandemic social distancing requirements.

Specifically acknowledged in the proposal presented to the supervisors were paid position needs at Fortsmouth Company 8 and Shenandoah Shores Company 5, which are currently totally volunteer-dependent with no paid staff. A paid staff increase at pivotally located Front Royal Company 1, which often assists with responses out of its primary coverage area, was also specifically cited.

Ultimately, the motion to authorize the $4.34-million SAFER Grant application made by Walt Mabe, seconded by Archie Fox, passed by a 5-0 roll call vote.

In the County video see this discussion, as well as other business including an update on the potential of refinancing existing County bonds related to past capital improvements, as part of a joint VPSA Special Obligation Bond issue slated for April 20. Ted Cole of County bond consultant Davenport Inc. virtually explained the board has till March 31 to commit or delay refinancing until a future date when more favorable circumstances might exist, including a tax exemption on the bond re-issue. Current savings under existing market numbers forecast savings of over $1.48 million over an 18-year payoff. However, projected future savings as high as $3.39 million were forecast by waiting three or four years to refinance. But as Interim County Administrator Ed Daley observed those future projections can be more tenuous with yet-unknown variables factoring in. How will the board roll the dice on its refinancing options? Stay tuned as March 31 approaches.