Ohio wins $4.4M grant to hire more firefighters

By Rick Armon
The Akron Beacon Journal

AKRON, Ohio — Akron has won a $4.4 million federal grant to hire anywhere from 25 to 35 more firefighters.

The city was notified Wednesday that it will receive the money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program.

“The grant will … get us back to staffing that is more appropriate for a city of our size,” Fire Chief Edward Hiltbrand said. “I am thrilled to receive this news.”

The city applied for the funding earlier this year, saying it wanted to boost its ranks. There are 341 firefighters now.

The hiring process is expected to take several months, Hiltbrand said.

The SAFER grant, which doesn’t require a local match, is for two years.

“On behalf of our citizens of Akron and our more than 325 professionals within the Fire Division, I am excited and grateful to receive this grant to help us move forward in improving and expanding our team; while also providing cutting-edge training and development,” Mayor Dan Horrigan said.

Akron has had prior success in getting SAFER grants. The city received a $6 million grant in 2010 that was used to bring back firefighters who had been laid off during the economic downturn.

It then received an extension and an additional $6.4 million in 2013 to hire another 38 firefighters.

Copyright 2016 the Akron Beacon Journal