Butler City Council has approved an agreement with the local firefighters union that will determine what will happen with several new positions once funding from a grant runs out.
The memorandum of understanding with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 114 covers administration of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, grant program.
Four firefighters hired to full-time positions using funding from this grant would revert to part-time positions if the city is unable to maintain the payment of full-time salaries once the grant expires in February of 2022.
The SAFER grant program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The city was awarded $600,000 towards partial payment of four full-time positions over three years. The now 20 full-time Butler City Fire Department is expected to use the grant to help reduce overtime expenses.