City Council Agenda
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Memo to: |
Manteca City Council |
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From: |
Steven Islas, Fire Chief |
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Prepared by: |
Aimee Rubio, Executive Assistant |
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Date: |
January 20, 2026 |
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Subject: |
Budget appropriation for hiring nine (9) firefighters funded through FEMA SAFER Grant |
Recommendation:
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Receive a presentation and adopt a resolution approving a budget appropriation of $762,169 for the initial onboarding expenses and salary costs associated with hiring nine (9) SAFER-funded firefighters, and the necessary promotions needed to staff an engine company, and amend the approved position control list to add three Firefighter, three Firefighter Engineer, and three Fire Captain positions.
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Background:
The Fire Department has identified a critical need to increase staffing to maintain adequate emergency response times and ensure public safety. The opening of Fire Station 6 will enhance operational capacity, expand citywide coverage, and support adherence to industry benchmarks for fire and emergency services.
In October 2025, the City of Manteca accepted a FEMA SAFER Grant to hire nine (9) additional firefighters. This increase in personnel aligns with the City’s strategic objective of strengthening public safety resources in response to a growing community.
To staff a new engine company, the position control list needs to be amended to include three additional Firefighters, Fire Engineers, and Fire Captains. Staff's intention is to hire nine new Firefighters, where three Firefighters and Firefighter Engineers would receive promotions to the new Fire Engineer and Fire Captain positions.
The requested appropriation includes both reimbursable and non-reimbursable costs under FEMA SAFER Grant guidelines. Personnel salary and benefit costs are eligible for reimbursement, while expenses related to equipment, uniforms, training, recruitment, and related promotions are not. All expenditures will be tracked and reported in accordance with federal grant requirements.
Fiscal Impact:
Approval of this action authorizes a total appropriation of $762,169 to support initial onboarding and staffing costs for nine (9) SAFER-funded firefighters. Of this amount, $330,931 is eligible for reimbursement under the FEMA SAFER Grant and will be appropriated in the Fire Grants Fund (Fund 120) revenue and expenditure accounts. The remaining $431,238 represents non-reimbursable salaries, startup costs for equipment, uniforms, radios, recruitment, and training, and will be appropriated in the Measure Q Fund (Fund 105) expenditure accounts.
There is no General Fund impact associated with this action. Future ongoing personnel costs associated with the additional positions authorized will be reviewed and incorporated into the City’s annual budget process.
Documents Attached:
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Presentation