During last nights City Council meeting, Fire Rescue Chief, Mark A. Foulks announced the department had received word today from Senator Alexander's office that it will receive a grant of $2.8 Million over the next Three (3) years. The Grant dollars will be used to increase the Fire Rescue by Twenty-Seven (27) new firefighter positions in the department.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards.

Some of the past recipient departments of this grant have added personnel, reduced response times, and expanded services through special training.