The Modesto Fire Department has been awarded a $4.2 million federal grant to hire nine firefighters over three years, which the fire chief says will reduce overtime, including mandated OT, and save the department money. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Sept. 10 that Modesto was among the agencies nationwide it had awarded Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants. “We’re very excited about this,” Modesto Fire Chief Alan Ernst said. “... It’s not something that is just given out. It’s a very competitive process.”
City Council members voted 7-0 at their March 9 meeting to let the Fire Department apply for the grant. Ernst said he expects to ask council members at their Sept. 28 meeting to accept it. He said the grant covers the cost of the salaries and benefits, including the annual increases, for the nine firefighters over the three years.