Wash. fire department uses SAFER grant to avoid layoffs

The Dispatch

EATONVILLE, Wash. — A federal grant of $546,580 will cover personnel costs the next two years-plus of the Eatonville Fire Department, sparing the agency from possible layoffs.

The federal funds also have improved the town’s overall financial situation, officials said.

The SAFER grant, which the fire agency can start drawing from in January, pays for wages and benefits of four firefighter/paramedics in 2013, 2014 and the first quarter of 2015.

Full story: Federal grant preserves fire department