Reading, Pa. lands $4M grant to hire firefighters

The States News Service

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced that Reading, Pa. will receive $4,0006,650 to rehire 30 firefighters. Earlier this year Sen. Casey wrote to the Department of Homeland Security to urge them to award Reading this grant.

Reading has a need for more firefighters and these federal funds will ensure that there are more first responders in the region, Casey said. I urged DHS to approve this grant so Readings citizens can have the peace of mind in knowing that more first responders will be on the job. This grant will create jobs and improve public safety in Reading.

Earlier this year, Sen. Casey wrote a letter to the Assistant Administrator for DHS/FEMA Program Preparedness pushing for the grants approval. Sen. Casey noted that Readings high population density coupled with a large number of older wooden homes puts the city at especially high risk of rapidly spreading fires.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant will help Reading keep its residents safe and also protect firefighters from entering burning structures alone, which is a result of reduced staffing levels.

Copyright 2012 States News Service