At its Oct. 20 meeting, the Frisco City Council approved two consent‑agenda items that will strengthen the city’s fire protection services and explore better work schedules for firefighters. The council voted to accept a nearly $2.6 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s SAFER program and to fund a $133,535 laboratory study with East Texas A&M University.
The SAFER grant will cover base salaries and standard benefits for 12 new firefighter/paramedic positions over three years, helping the department staff a fourth frontline fire truck slated for delivery in fall 2027. The grant excludes overtime, supplemental pay and certain operating costs, which the Frisco Fire Department will absorb through its annual operating budget, according to city documents.
Interim Fire Chief Clay Carpenter said the new truck, to be built by Pierce Engineering, will serve the city’s north side and that the department last received a SAFER grant in 2018 to staff Station 9. “We’re very excited to get these 12 firefighters on board and get them trained up and get them to work,” Carpenter told the council.
In parallel, the council approved a $133,535 purchase order to study the department’s 24‑hour‑on, 48‑hour‑off shift pattern. The research will compare the current schedule with an alternative cycle of 24 hours on, 72 hours off, 48 hours on, and another 72 hours off. East Texas A&M University will conduct laboratory testing on 59 participating firefighters over a one‑year period, using specialized equipment to monitor fatigue and performance.
107 firefighters volunteered for the study, reflecting a broader movement in the fire service to find schedules that better balance home and work life. “By capturing all those data points, we can then get with our firefighters and city manager to determine what the best path forward is based off the study’s findings specific to Frisco,” Carpenter said.
The grant and study together aim to enhance public safety on the north side of town while ensuring the men and women who protect residents have a healthier work environment. The city’s investment underscores its commitment to maintaining rapid emergency response capabilities as Frisco continues to grow.
What’s next: The new fire truck is expected in fall 2027, and the shift‑schedule study will run for one year from the date of the purchase order. City officials will review the study’s results and staffing plan before the end of the three‑year grant period to determine any adjustments to firefighter schedules or additional staffing needs.
Sources: communityimpact.com, communityimpact.com
