The Yonkers Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant that will lead to the hiring of 30 firefighters and help curb potential coronavirus-induced cuts.
The approximately $11.5 million grant announced Tuesday will fill 20 vacant positions and staff an additional 10, saving the city’s taxpayers $3 million a year. It will also support that hiring for three years.
The federal funding comes as Yonkers faces a possible shortfall of an estimated $21 million due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yonkers is considering some layoffs and cuts to programs, which had left fire union leadership concerned as to how it would impact the department already experiencing financial stress.
The department had been dealing with staffing vacancies from attrition, injury leave, long-term sickness and absences due to the coronavirus. Together, that led to more than $6.5 million in unexpected overtime costs.