Washington County will receive more than $8 million to hire 33 full-time firefighters who will help volunteer companies respond to emergencies.
The money is part of $14.76 million in federal funding for Washington, Frederick and Garrett county firefighters announced Wednesday by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and U.S. Reps. Jamie Raskin and David Trone, all D-Md.
"It's incredible. It's a great feeling," R. David Hays, the county's emergency services supervisor, said in an interview Wednesday.
The money comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant.
"I'm truly excited and really just appreciative of the opportunities our system has given us through this grant," Hays said. "It creates a safer environment for the responders and the public."
The SAFER grant will fund up to 33 firefighters over the next three years.