Nearly 50 new Atlanta firefighters are slated to be hired as part to a $5.6 million federal grant that the Atlanta fire chief said would “improve and maintain our status as one of the most accomplished firefighting operations in the country.” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced this week that the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “With this award, the department will be able to move forward in executing their strategic plan, which includes recruiting new firefighters and enhancing their capabilities to respond to emergencies and protect public safety,” Reed said.