Wednesday evening, the New Rochelle City Council voted unanimously to accept a $1 million grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security that will allow the city’s Fire Department to hire six new fire fighters at no cost to local taxpayers.
The grant is a very positive development for both public safety and taxpayers, as it will cover the salaries and benefits of the new firefighters for up to two years. With recruits expected to enter the academy in Valhalla in October, the new firefighters could be in the firehouses by early 2013.
On behalf of the members of the New Rochelle Fire Department, I would like to thank Mayor Bramson and members of the city council for their support in seeking the Homeland Security grant to increase fire fighter staffing. This is an important first step towards rebuilding and reversing the significant attrition of our Fire Department, which has seen its staffing cut by 15% since 2008.