U.S. Senator Bob Casey on Monday urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award the city of Scranton a grant that could allow laid off firefighters to get back on the job. The city has applied for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants grant. Citing the closure engine companies and brownouts at existing firehouses, Casey urged the administrator of FEMA, Craig Fugate, to give careful consideration to the city’s application and award the funds to the city. “Scranton has a critical need for more firefighters and receiving this grant will make that need a reality,” Casey said. “This is about making sure Scranton residents are safe and can have security in knowing that there are enough firefighters on the job.” The city of Scranton applied for a SAFER grant on February 24and is expecting a decision soon. Receiving the grant could allow the city to put laid off firefighters back on the job. The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards.
