Fla. fire department to hire 67 firefighters with grant

"With the valuable federal support, we can put additional trained, front-line firefighters on the job to protect residents and businesses in our community," Mayor Alvin Brown said

The Florida Times-Union

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville has received a $5.9 million federal grant that will enable the city to hire 67 firefighters.

"With the valuable federal support, we can put additional trained, front-line firefighters on the job to protect residents and businesses in our community," Mayor Alvin Brown said Tuesday.

The federal government on Friday awarded a $5.9 million grant to Jacksonville to boost hiring in the fire department, according to information posted online by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The grant is part of the national Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants program.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Director Martin Senterfitt said the grant will fill 67 vacant positions. The city must fill the positions within 90 days and maintain them for at least two years.

FEMA will pay the grant over a two-year period and does not require any local match. The mayor's office will file legislation Tuesday for City Council to vote on accepting the grant.

From the same federal program, Clay County received a $2.2 million grant award in December to hire 21 additional full-time firefighters.

The 2013 round of grants will provide $338 million to local fire departments across the country.

So far, nine Florida fire departments have won funding. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received the largest grant at $11.4 million.