Federal grant to provide major staffing boost to Shakopee Fire Department

Hiring more firefighters in Shakopee using federal grant money

Shakopee’s fire department is set to nearly double its full-time staff thanks to a federal grant.

The city received a $2.6 million FEMA SAFER grant to hire 12 full-time firefighters. Currently, the department has 15 full-time positions, including nine fire staff, said Fire Chief Joe Simon.

“It’s going to over double our operation side of things,” Simon said.

The department’s annual call volume has more than doubled since 2018, while staffing has decreased.

The grant will also allow the department to respond from Station 2 with a full-time staff for the first time.

“Having that open will let us be in most places in the city in four minutes or less,” said Mason Runyan, a firefighter with the department for five years.

The grant is spread over three years, with FEMA covering 75% of costs for the first two years and 35% the third year. Taxpayers will gradually take on the cost of these positions.

“By the time that fourth year comes, the city is going to be ready to take on that funding,” Simon said.

He expects half of the positions to be filled internally, easing the city’s burden.

Since the job postings went live this week, the response has been immediate.

“We had 21 applicants for the firefighter job in one day,” Simon said.

For a look at the job postings, click here.
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