Montgomery Fire receives $3.5 million federal grant to hire more firefighters
The city learned this week that it has been chosen to receive
"Not all firefighters certainly enjoy working overtime, or double shifts, and there will always be overtime," said Montgomery Public Safety Director
With the new cost-sharing grant, Montgomery will put forward about
The first firefighter class boosted by the grant is expected to start in February.
In the first two years, the city will pay for 25 percent of the associated costs, according to
The grant and new classes planned for the force will bring the department's staff level to 448. That would be the highest it has been in recent years and would inch the city closer to its goal of 480 firefighters.
The application process began earlier this year, Petrey said.
"Your application consists of historical data based upon run volume, staffing and your budget. And one of the items they look at in your budget, of course, is your overtime," he said. "So how can the administration of this grant help you to overcome that obstacle of overtime that prevents you from running academy classes and maintaining staffing at the same time?"
The city and public safety officials often tout their top
Public safety officials were clearly excited about the opportunity that the grant provides, and thanked
"The additional 33 firefighters provided by this grant will help us meet the increasing demand for suppression and emergency medical services.
Shelby also said in the release that the grant will play an important role in "stabilizing" operations and administration in MFR.
"The funding will ensure the city has the proper resources and staff to adequately respond to emergency medical, fire, and rescue incidents throughout the area. I am proud that
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