Delphos Firefighters Local 686 seeking approval by Delphos City Council for nearly $1.8 million grant

DELPHOS, OH (WLIO) - The Delphos Firefighters Local 686 are seeking to bring in a major grant to help with daily operations and personnel.

The department filed for and was named the recipient of "The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant," known as the SAFER grant. If approved by Delphos City Council, the little over $1.8 million grant would supply the funding for six new full-time personnel for a time period of 3 years, which would double current Delphos firefighter personnel numbers. Fire officials say this grant would substantially help their ability to handle emergency calls.

"It's just like any other business. With the production, it goes up. Our production is going up, and we just need to help with that production going up and staffing more personnels," says Scott Warnement, Acting Battalion Chief, Delphos Fire & Rescue.

On Monday night, many Delphos firefighters attended Delphos City Council to hear about a possible vote on the grant, but Delphos City Council was unable to vote as some questions still needed to be answered. On Monday evening, we talked with the Delphos City Council President about what they need to figure out next.

"Questions council has is what happens after, you know, that grant is ran over. We're on a real short time period of when this has to be approved. Administration wasn't with us tonight to share with us their concerns, both pro and con, with this issue," says Mark Clement, President, Delphos City Council.

Delphos City Council will meet with city administration to get those questions answered and will hold a public meeting next Tuesday, October 22nd, at 6 PM inside Delphos City Council Chambers.