Courtesy of Columbia Gas, the city of Lawrence will have an extra crew of firefighters on duty for at least the first two months of this year.
The natural gas provider has agreed to pay for an extra, three-person engine company of firefighters for January and February 2019, Fire Chief Brian Moriarty announced Wednesday.
At the close of 2018, Moriarty asked Columbia Gas to pay for extra firefighters due to increased calls the department was receiving about gas odors, gas leaks and carbon monoxide issues since the Merrimack Valley gas disaster on Sept. 13, 2018.
The extra engine company will comprise a fire department officer and two firefighters. The shifts will be filled through overtime and no new firefighters will be hired at this time, Moriarty said.
"It's a win for public safety and a win for the city," Moriarty said.