VII.1. Resolution 2025-060 accepting a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant; Specken CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2025-149
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Dale Specken, Fire Chief
Date: October 21, 2025
Subject: Acceptance of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO approve Resolution 2025-060 accepting a Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through U.S. Department of Homeland Security
for $1,459,383 to the City of Hopkins.
OVERVIEW
The Hopkins Fire Department has been awarded a SAFER Grant to enhance staffing
levels and improve operational readiness. This grant will support the department’s
transition toward a sustainable full-time staffing model that meets NFPA 1720
standards and the “2 in/2 out” firefighter safety standard.
Financial Modeling Summary
Two staffing models were evaluated to assess long-term cost and service impact:
Scenario 1: Maintain Current Paid-on-Call (POC) Model
•City does not currently meet NFPA Standards with POC model and 2 full-time
and 1 POC per weekday shift.
•Staff will continue to advocate for a full-time staffing model as described in the
Staffing Study.
•Requires hiring and training 22 new POC firefighters at approximately $25,000
each.
•POC retention rate is approximately 48% after 3 years, requiring continual
recruitment and training.
•Continued maintenance of the current fleet and equipment.
•No long-term improvement to staffing reliability or coverage.
Scenario 2: Implement SAFER Grant with Combined Full-Time and POC Staffing
•City would meet NFPA 1720 Standards after hiring period.
•Allows fleet reconfiguration for greater efficiency.
•Reduces POC numbers through attrition to approximately 15 members.
•Hires licensed, fully trained firefighters, eliminating new training costs.
•Ensures a full-time Captain is on duty at all times for safety, supervision, and
accountability.
Fire Department
• Improves retention by offering sustainable full-time positions, reducing loss to
other departments.
• Helps maintain ISO Class 2 rating, supporting business attraction and insurance
benefits.
Key Advantages of the SAFER/POC Model
• Training Cost Savings:
Avoids training costs for 22 new POC firefighters (approx.. $525,000) while
ensuring a consistently trained workforce.
• Fleet Efficiency:
Potential to sell Ladder 9 (recovering ~$400,000) and remove $2.8 million from
the long-term equipment replacement plan. A smaller rescue apparatus will
serve as a cost-effective secondary response unit, improving coverage for the
33% of calls that occur concurrently.
• Operational Savings:
Reduced recurring costs for turnout gear, radios, licenses, and annual physicals.
Surplus equipment can be sold to recover funds currently tied up in inventory.
• Improved Service & Safety:
Ensures 24/7 coverage with experienced full-time staff, reduces risk, and
enhances community safety.
Fiscal Impact
The federal funding available through the award is limited based on a total cost of
$1,459,383 and a percentage cap. The City’s estimated cost is $907,184 over three
years.
Year City
Percentage
City Cost
2026 25% $197,214
2027 25% $197,214
2028 75% $512,756
The estimated cost in 2026 was not in the preliminary budget and tax levy approved on
September 16. The department has identified internal funding solutions to support 2026
and 2027 cost share including reducing the paid-on-call staffing budget, reduced
training costs and payroll savings from new personnel and sale of excess equipment.
The City would need to include the additional costs in the budget and tax levy in future
years. The 2029 budget would include 6 additional positions funded entirely by tax levy.
Call Volume & Future Demand
• 2025 projected total: $2,949 calls – an 8.42% increase from 2024.
• Continued growth expected in 2026 due to the new apartment developments and
the launch of the light rail.
• Additionally, the department conducts ~248 fire inspections and ~100 rental
inspections annually.
• These factors highlight the need to ensure adequate, reliable staffing to maintain
service quality.
The City Attorney will be available during the meeting to answer any questions
regarding the grant agreement.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• SAFER Grant Award Package
• Hopkins Fire Department Organizational Structure and Staffing Assessment
(2023)
• Financial Worksheet
• Resolution 2025-060
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2025-060
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND
EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR $1,459,383 TO THE CITY OF HOPKINS
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; and
WHEREAS, the Grant will support the Hopkins Fire Department’s transition toward a
sustainable full-time staffing model that meets NFPA 1720 standards; and
WHEREAS, the federal funding available through the award is limited based on a total
cost of $1,459,383 and a percentage cap; and
WHEREAS, the City’s estimated cost is around $907,184 over three years; and
WHEREAS, the department has identified internal funding solutions to support 2026
and 2027 cost share including reducing the paid-on-call staffing budget, reduced
training costs and payroll savings from new personnel and sale of excess equipment;
and
WHEREAS, the City would need to include the additional costs in the budget and tax
levy in future years. The 2029 budget would include 6 additional positions funded
entirely by tax levy,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins
hereby authorizes City staff to accept the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response (SAFER) Grant award through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 21st day of October, 2025.
By:___________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk