Milton to seek $1.4M grant for fire department

Milton is applying for a $1.4 million federal fire grant to help offset the costs of staffing a new fire station on Ga. 9. AJC FILE

Milton is applying for a $1.4 million federal fire grant to help offset the costs of staffing a new fire station on Ga. 9. AJC FILE

The Milton Fire-Rescue Department has gotten the go-ahead to apply for a federal grant that officials said could offset the costs of nine additional firefighter and help reverse rising response times.

The Milton City Council approved the fire department’s request to apply for a U.S. Fire Administration Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The city will seek three years of SAFER funding totaling $1.43 million, and will be required to provide a $908,175 match.

The application will be timed to coincide with the opening later this year of Fire Station 44, part of the new Public Safety Complex on Ga. 9, and the reconstruction of Station 42 on Thompson Road in 2021, officials said.

“Adding a pumper with advanced life support capabilities and the additional staffing will help Milton field a full alarm complement of firefighters, maintain its critical EMS presence, and reduce its response time by putting apparatus closer to the calls,” Deputy Fire Chief Matt Marietta said in a report to the council.