Seven new firefighter/paramedics have started a two-week orientation designed to introduce them to the community and department operations.
Six of the new staffers were hired with the assistance of an $879,542 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the federal Emergency Management Agency. It will cover 75 percent of the cost of the new hires for the first two years and 35 percent of the cost in the third year. The seventh filled a vacancy caused by a retirement, Mayor Joel Day told City Council on Monday.
“Today started a new chapter in the history of our fire department,” fire Lt. Matthew Graham said. “The last time we increased our staffing was in 1999. Before that it was 1974, I think, when we brought EMS into the city of New Philadelphia.
“We’re very fortunate to be able to do this two-week orientation. A lot of departments our size, you show up and good luck. You’re learning on the fly.”
Graham said the orientation focuses on working through scenarios.