The City of St. Cloud has earned a historic $9.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that will allow St. Cloud Fire Rescue to hire 48 new firefighters, marking the largest grant award in the city’s history.
The funding, part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, will help the department meet the growing demand for emergency services as St. Cloud’s population continues to rise. Since 2022, the city’s 9-1-1 call center has averaged more than 100,000 calls for service each year, while the city’s population has climbed to over 70,000 — nearly 20% higher than the last U.S. Census count.
Mayor Chris Robertson emphasized the importance of this milestone for the community.
“The St. Cloud City Council and I are enormous supporters of improving public safety for our residents,” Robertson said. “It is exciting to be able to grow this department to meet the demands of our community.”
Fire Chief Jason Miller also noted how the grant strengthens the city’s ability to respond in times of need.
“The quality of service we provide to our residents is paramount,” Miller said. “When you or your loved ones need emergency help, knowing you have a well-trained, caring, and professional fire department minutes away makes all the difference.”
Currently, St. Cloud Fire Rescue operates with more than 90 sworn firefighters across four stations, with four engines, four rescues, and a tower truck soon to be placed in service. The addition of 48 firefighters will help staff future stations, improving response times in rapidly growing areas of the city and reducing risks to both residents and businesses.
Continued Investment in Public Safety
The City of St. Cloud has made significant investments in fire rescue in recent years, including:
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$12.4 million for replacement Station 32 on Old Canoe Creek Road
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$10.5 million for new Station 35 on Neptune Road
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$1.5 million for temporary Station 34 on Nora Tyson Road
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$4.2 million for the Fire Training Classroom Facility on Cord Avenue
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$2 million for a new tower truck
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Acquisition of property for future fire stations and a new headquarters
City officials credited the success of the SAFER application to the strong collaboration between city staff and the St. Cloud Professional Firefighters Local 4153.
Residents interested in joining the growing team at St. Cloud Fire Rescue can learn more about career opportunities at governmentjobs.com/careers/stcloud.