Cranston’s fire department is receiving $2.7 million in federal grants to help add 15 firefighters to its staff.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant program, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is designed to help communities improve the level of service and public safety, according to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who announced the award Tuesday along with the rest of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation.
“I will continue doing everything I can at the federal level to help our dedicated firefighters protect our communities and improve emergency response capabilities,” said Reed.
The money is designed to pay roughly 75% of the annual cost of 15 full-time firefighters for two years in Cranston, and then 35% of the cost in year three of the cycle.