$10.8M grant will return Mass. fire department to full strength

By Michael Holtzman
Somerset Herald News

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Federal officials confirmed Wednesday the awarding of $10.8 million for Fall River over two years to increase staffing levels to 232 firefighters — bringing the department back to the complement of two years ago, before budget cuts and layoffs.

The city is receiving about 5 percent of $240 million for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants, which Mayor Will Flanagan and Chief Paul Ford called the highest in the country for this round.

The number of city firefighters dropped as low as 148 prior to a $2.8 million one-year discretionary stimulus grant awarded in November to recall 44 firefighters.

Full story: $10.8M grant will return Fall River Fire Department to full strength