Tulsa To Hire 27 New Firefighters Thanks To $2.7M FEMA Grant

The City of Tulsa says it will be able to hire 27 new firefighters thanks to a $2.7 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In a news release, the city says the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response or SAFER grant is designed to increase the number of front-line, first responders in local communities.  

“This grant comes at the perfect time for us,” said Tulsa Fire Chief Ray Driskell. 

“Many firefighters have been working 48-hour shifts to keep trucks in service and fire stations open while awaiting the reinforcements provided by this award."

Driskell says the Fire Department is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the upcoming fire academy. 

“I believe the Tulsa Fire Department is one of the best departments in the country and I am very thankful Tulsa was selected for a grant that will get more boots on the ground,” Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett said.

“I would like to give a special thanks to Congressman Markwayne Mullin and his staff for their support and assistance, which was instrumental in ensuring more firefighters could be hired to meet the needs of our city.”

Tulsa says the SAFER grant will cover two years of employment for 27 firefighters. At the end of the grant term, the Mayor and Council will determine the best way to fund those 27 positions.