EAST LIVERPOOL East Liverpool City Council will be voting Monday night on the hiring of four new firefighters to the city's fire department.

Fire Chief Anthony Cumo tells 21 News the department is currently down one firefighter with 14 on staff. According to a letter from Chief Cumo, the department's budget allows for 15 firefighters on staff.

Council will vote for the city to hire four new firefighters for a total of 18, with the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant paying for three of them.

"This provides this city with a unique opportunity to strengthen fire protection, reduce overtime costs and improve both firefighter safety and community service," Cumo said in his letter.

The SAFER Grant cost-shares these firefighters' salaries for three years. The

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