CITRUS COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Citrus County Fire Rescue (CCFR) announced that it has received a grant of more than $2 million from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will provide $2,099,565 over three years toward the hiring of 13 new firefighters for the county, which is required to kick in an additional $1,305,135 in funding.
According to a press release, many of the county’s fire units currently operate with only two firefighters. The National Fire Protection Association recommends crews of at least three to four firefighters for safety, and the SAFER program was enacted by Congress to help fire departments nationwide achieve those standards.
Additionally, CCFR received another grant of $238,930.52 from DHS/FEMA, as part of those departments’ Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) program, for equipment upgrades. CCFR will use the money to replace its old 3-inch firehoses, and upgrade its 4-inch supply hoses to 5-inch hoses.
“This grant is a major win for our community,” said Citrus County Fire Chief Craig Stevens in an announcement. “By replacing aging hose and upgrading to modern 5-inch supply lines, we’re not only improving safety for our firefighters but also ensuring we can deliver more water faster to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. It’s an investment that directly benefits every resident of Citrus County.”