LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Lincoln Fire and Rescue Chief Dave Engler announced on Thursday that the City of Lincoln has been awarded a federal grant to help pay for an additional 9 firefighters/paramedics. The $2.3 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant is provided by FEMA.

Chief Engler said the additional personnel would be hired next spring and be in service by the summer of 2026. The new staffing would serve to help crews maintain safe staffing levels for emergency responses, as well as help reduce overtime in the department.

LFR was a recipient of the SAFER grant in 2023 as well, which allowed the city to hire an additional 18 firefighters/paramedics.

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