VIDEO: Eau Claire Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Robert Haller is contending with employee turnover. Between the retirements and others leaving the force, Haller said a recently acquired grant should further help with the staffing shortage. This comes as they look to hire 6 new firefighters after Eau Claire voters helped pass a public safety referendum last year. But, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant from the Department of Homeland Security allows for even more. “And this one we put in for six firefighters at a cost of just over $2 million. This funding will keep us afloat basically for the next three years,” said Deputy Chief Haller. The 12 new hires should keep the number of staff at around 96. Haller said the gran money will help offset some costs from the force being stretched thin.