The Department of Homeland Security has awarded $1,566,699 to the Tacoma Fire Department from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to bolster firefighter staffing levels.

The SAFER grant provides funding to departments to help them increase the number of trained front-line firefighters available in their communities. The grant will enable the department to hire 10 new firefighters to help meet the demands for emergency calls and nationally recognized standards for safe and effective firefighter staffing.

“Being selected for this grant award is significant for our community,” said Fire Chief Ron Stephens. “This funding will help us continue to provide a fast, safe and effective response to the variety of emergency incidents in our community.”

“Firefighters across Washington State put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities and families safe,” said U.S. Senator Patty Murray. “I am very glad that the City of Tacoma received this grant to put 10 new firefighters on the job. I am going to keep working with local communities to make sure they have the resources they need to protect their families.”

The Tacoma Fire Department was selected from over 2,100 applicants nationally and is currently one of only three recipients from Washington State.