A local city who hasn't been able to hire a new firefighter for 18 years will now be hiring multiple new hires thanks to a Federal grant.
Currently, the Defiance Fire and Rescue division runs three seven-man shifts a day.
But with a recently awarded SAFER federal grant of nearly $1,000,000, and more than half a million from the city, six new full time firefighters will soon be joining the force.
"That would be the first time a new firefighter was hired by the city of Defiance since 2000" said Fire Chief Bill Wilkins.
The additional man power will allow the department to begin operating three shifts of nine firefighters per shift, which means a larger presence at significant events, or the ability to cover multiple incidents at once.
"So, every year we are increasing our service and our level of service. And the service we provide is not just for the city of Defiance," said Wilkins.
"As in any career and any job, we all know what sleep deprivation can do to us. This will help alleviate some of that problem by spreading the work around," said Israel Frazer, president of IAFF local 918.