SAFER grant would allow Ohio city to run 4 ambulances regularly

The $1.03M SAFER grant would allow the Canton Fire Department to hire 10 new responders and regularly operate four ambulances

By Kelly Byer
The Repository

CANTON, Ohio — Ten new hires would allow the Canton Fire Department to regularly operate four ambulances, Chief Thomas Garra said Monday.

He answered questions from Canton City Council members about plans for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant during a council committee meeting. The fire department was awarded $1.03 million in federal money, which requires a local match of $644,217, to fund 10 firefighters between 2019 and 2022.

"The first primary goal of this is to maintain Station 2 open," Garra said.

That station on Belden Avenue SE houses a fire engine and an ambulance — an increase in ambulances from three to four. Garra said the medic unit has been operated with overtime shifts covered by increased revenue from the medic runs.

"Right now, our medic revenue, opening up that fourth medic, is higher than its ever been," he said.

Garra said he expects to collect more than $2 million this year. Last year's revenue was $1.9 million and the year before was $1.6 million.

Paramedics respond to about 12,000 to 12,500 calls a year, Garra said. The average revenue is $200 per run.

"Our medic runs have just gone through the roof," the chief said.

The fourth medic unit was added after surrounding communities — Canton Township, Nimishillen Township, Massillon, Louisville and Greentown — notified Canton that they would no longer assist with medical calls unless there's a "mass casualty."

"They want to protect their own communities," Garra said.

The current department's staff level is 144. A previous SAFER grant, which expires this year, pays the salaries and benefits of 10 firefighters. The city soon will be responsible for those firefighters at a cost of about $550,000 a year.

City Council is scheduled to authorize the mayor or safety director to accept the new SAFER grant at its next regular meeting on Sept. 24.

Councilman Frank Morris, D-9 and finance committee chairman, asked on Monday for another discussion with fire officials. He said his request relates to staff and budget questions.

"If we're making money off EMS units, why aren't we dedicating more people to those?" Morris said after Monday's meeting.