Today, Crown Point Fire Rescue was honored as a recipient of the competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Crown Point Fire Rescue received $2,262,429 to hire new firefighters. The grant does not require a match from the City and fully funds the salary and benefits for seven new firefighters for three years. The City will fund the salaries beginning in 2026. This year, the City of Crown Point was the only municipality in Northwest Indiana to receive the grant.
“As the name alludes, the SAFER grant will allow us to continue to keep the Crown Point community safe as we continue to grow,” Crown Point Fire Chief Mark Baumgardner Jr. said. “These dollars ensure we will have adequately staffed shifts to respond to any incident — no matter how big or small. We are grateful to FEMA and the Office of Congressman Frank J. Mrvan for their continued support.”
According to FEMA, the SAFER grant provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained, front-line firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire
department’s abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720).
The grant will increase Crown Point Fire Rescue’s staffing from 14 to 16 people per shift.
“Maintaining our public safety sector is of the utmost importance as the City of Crown Point continues to experience residential and commercial growth,” Mayor Pete Land said. “This grant helps us stay ahead of the growth and continue to provide quality care to our residents.”
Crown Point Fire Rescue is one of 118 SAFER Grant recipients across the United States and one of four in Indiana.
“Congratulations to Mayor Land and everyone with the City of Crown Point for successfully obtaining this critical federal grant to improve your firefighting capabilities,” Congressman Frank J. Mrvan said.
“I look forward to continuing to support all of our incredible first responders who keep our communities safe every day.”