CHAMPION — For the first time since 1982, the township will be hiring three new full-time firefighters/emergency medical technicians, which is being made possible by an Assistance to Firefighting Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant.

Fire Chief Thomas Dempsey said at Tuesday’s trustees meeting that the passage of the 2.65-mill, five-year fire levy on the May primary ballot will supply the necessary local match for the SAFER grant to support the township’s fire and emergency medical services.

Dempsey said the total grant is more than $1,092,774 for the costs of the three firefighters. The federal grant contribution is $673,877 with the township’s share being $418,894 over the three years.

Dempsey said the funds are for 2026, with the firefighters able to be hired this year.

Officials said acceptance of the grant is for a mandatory three-year commitment.

He said the township has had the opportunity for SAFER grants in the past, but did not have the funding needed for the local share. Trustees accepted the grant at Tuesday’s meeting.

The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters available in their communities.

Dempsey said the last time a SAFER grant covered the cost for new firefighters was in 1982.

In other business, trustees approved a contract with Playcare Wisconsin of Harrison at a cost not to exceed $61,218 for the purchase and installation of fitness equipment and rubber surfacing for township property located north of the cemetery and south of the Champion schools complex.

Fiscal Officer Laurie Jo Miller said the township received a reimbursable Ohio Nature Works grant of $45,988 toward completion of the senior exercise station for the proposed community park.

Also, Trustee Rick York said there has been discussion of having one trash collection company for the entire township, which would provide two trash containers per household, with one for recycling items.

He said right now, there are six or seven trash collection companies in the township.

In other action, trustees:

• Approved proceeding with fire department roof repair at $25,000.

• Approved having department head meetings on the third Tuesday of each month.