Southington FD Celebrates Massive Grant, But Town Council Has Final Say

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington has been awarded a $3.03 million federal grant to help hire 12 additional firefighters, an award the Southington Fire Department says is among the largest of its kind in the country.

But, ultimately, it will be up to the Southington Town Council to accept the grant, and it remains to be seen if town officials and taxpayers are willing to fund 12 firefighter positions after the grant funds dry up.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the funding through its Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, Grant Program, according to a Sept. 28 announcement from the SFD

The grant will help offset the cost of hiring 12 additional firefighters, which the department said would strengthen emergency response capabilities and help address current and future public safety needs.

The award is not yet the final step in adding the positions.

The Southington Town Council must formally review the grant and determine how to proceed with its acceptance and implementation, according to the SFD.

The next regular town council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at the John Weichsel Municipal Center. It is not known if the issue will be on the agenda.

Fire officials said Southington's award is the only fiscal year 2025 SAFER award in Connecticut announced to date, as well as the largest in New England, the second-largest in the Northeast, and the 11th-largest nationally.

The Southington Fire Department provided those rankings based on fiscal year 2025 FEMA SAFER awards announced to date.

The department said the more than $3 million award places Southington among departments receiving some of the nation's largest staffing grants, alongside major metropolitan and regional departments including Los Angeles, Fort Worth, Sacramento, St. Paul, Sarasota County and Palm Beach County.

Southington Fire Department Chief Scott Lee credited the town manager, town council, board of fire commissioners, fire department administration and members, and others who supported the initiative during the grant process.

The department also thanked U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Reps. John Larson and Jahana Hayes, state Sen. Rob Sampson, state Reps. Chris Poulos, Gale Mastrofrancesco, Donna Veach and Rebecca Martinez, and Gov. Ned Lamont for their support.

The next step will be the town council's review of the grant award and consideration of its acceptance and implementation.