Calif. fire dept. receives $1.24M grant

The money will be used to hire new firefighters and attract volunteers

By Rick Hurd
Contra Costa Times

The Pinole Fire Department has received a $1.24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, two U.S. Congressmen announced Thursday.

The money, awarded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program, or SAFER, will be used to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing, increase the number of frontline firefighters, and hire and rehire firefighters who were laid-off due to local budget cuts, Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said in a news release.

"This grant is a vital boost" for the department, Miller said in a news release. "First responders all over California have been hit especially hard by the recent economic downturn and I'm glad to see the federal government stepping in with critical financial resources to help carry out the vital mission of our local firefighters."

Full story: Pinole Fire Department gets $1.24 million grant to hire new firefighters, attract volunteers