The Newburgh City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city to apply for a grant through the "Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response" program -- also known as "SAFER" -- to help fund at least some of the 12 firefighter positions whose funding runs out in July.

The city was already awarded two two-year SAFER grants in 2014 and 2016 for those positions.

The grants, which have recently changed to become three-year funding packages, are meant to be boosts, not long-term solutions, and are not guaranteed.

The council managed to fit this item on its Monday agenda in order to apply before the April 27 deadline. More than $500,000 in unexpected tax revenue was just given to the city from Orange County, which may help fund some of the positions.

A representative from Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney's office said on Monday it is the office's position that the city of Newburgh should put all the money toward saving the positions, to increase the chances of getting the SAFER grant for a third time.

Councilman Jonathan Jacobson of Ward 3 said he would like for the city to use only part of that money for firefighter positions and use part for street repair. He still has faith Rep. Maloney will deliver.

"They were responsible for bringing us the previous SAFER grants, and I'm sure he'll be able to come through here as well," Jacobson said during the discussion period for the agenda items.

Interim Fire Chief Terry Ahlers said losing the positions would not affect response times; however, it could affect efficiency.

"The first few minutes, that's the most critical time of a fire," Chief Ahlers said. "That's what makes it or breaks it. When we have enough guys showing up on the fire truck, fires stay small most of the time."

When reached by phone prior to Monday's meeting, Jacobson said he hopes the city's contribution and another SAFER grant will retain all the positions, but in order to be more sustainable moving forward, the city might not be able to save all 12 positions.