It was a historic night for the Lynn Fire Department on Tuesday, as 20 new firefighters, paid for through a federal grant, were sworn in and five of its members were promoted, according to Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer.
The promotions included Stacy Borjeson, who became the first female lieutenant in the history of the city’s fire department. Over the summer, the Lynn Fire Department was awarded a $3.45 million Staffing for Adequate & Fire Emergency Response (SAFER) grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to hire 20 new firefighters, which brings its staffing level to 183 and closer to its optimal goal of 190. In addition, the department was granted a hardship waiver, which saved the city from providing a 25 percent match, and meant the city’s actual grant was $2 million more, which covers the cost of the 20 salaries for three years. “The importance of receiving this grant cannot be overemphasized,” Archer said.