Rogers Fire Department receives grant money for new firefighters

ROGERS -- The Fire Department received a federal grant to pay for three new firefighters.

The City Council on Tuesday voted to accept a $600,000 Staffing Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The grant is "seed money" to pay the salaries and benefits of the three firefighters for three years, Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said. The city will be responsible for paying the firefighters' salaries after the three years.

The firefighters will work in the heavy rescue and hazardous material unit in Fire Station No. 2 on West New Hope Road.

The council also approved the Fire Department's request to enter into an agreement with Pafford Medical Services for ambulance services.

The department operates its own ambulance service. Jenkins said an agreement with a private ambulance service is necessary for non-emergency ambulance calls, such as for when people call for transportation to hospitals for problems not time-sensitive. He added nursing home residents often need transportation to hospitals for non-emergencies.

The intent is for the Fire Department's staff and ambulances to be reserved for emergencies and to avoid buying more ambulances and hiring more staff for non-emergencies, Jenkins said. The city will not pay for the agreement with Pafford. Pafford will bill the patients it serves. The department began a similar agreement with Mercy Health System in 2017, but Mercy is no longer available, Jenkins said.

The council also voted to amend the 2020 budget to include an additional $42,192 for a new house at the Rogers Cemetery. The city allotted $155,000 in 2019 to build a new house for the on-site cemetery manager. David Hook, facilities manager, said the house cost more than the city's original estimation.

All items passed unanimously.

The council's Transportation Committee voted to extend Mayor Greg Hines' authority to close parking spots because of covid-19 for another six months. John Pesek, staff attorney, said the committee previously gave Hines the authority to allow for more curbside pick-up options for restaurants. Now, several restaurants are asking to use parking spots as outdoor seating, Pesek said.

Council members Mark Kruger, Jerry Carmichael and Gary Townzen are on the Transportation Committee.

The council held its meeting via Zoom, a video conferencing service, in light of the covid-19 pandemic.