The Pittsfield Fire Department has been awarded more than $425,000 in a federal SAFER grant to hire 4 firefighters for a two-year period. Pittsfield was one of only four cities in Masschusetts to compete successfully in the first round of the grant program administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The SAFER Grants, or Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, is a program under the Department of Homeland Security to help professional and volunteer fire departments increase the number of trained, frontline firefighters in their communities.
The grant award of $427,198 will fully fund 4 firefighter positions for a two-year period with no local matching funds required. The City will be required to take responsibility of the salaries and benefits for the third year.
The Pittsfield Fire Department, at one point in time over 150 firefighters strong, currently has an authorized uniformed force of 87. The force will be increased to 91 throughout the grants period of performance.
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