City to extend grant funds to retain 9 firefighters

MLive.com

JACKSON, Mich. — A number of Jackson firefighters will keep their jobs, at least through next fall, after city officials opted to extend a federal grant to maintain the nine positions.

"The decision solidifies our staffing at current levels," Deputy fire Chief David Wooden said. "I'm happy it was passed." With the grant-funded positions, there are 24 Jackson firefighters.

The Jackson City Council vote was unanimous Tuesday, Aug. 12, to extend the funds. Distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and originally set to expire later this month, the SAFER grant fund has about $719,000 left after the city was given $1.9 million in 2011.

Full story: Jackson officials extend grant funds to retain nine Jackson firefighters through fall 2015