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SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburg Fire Department will soon add new firefighter positions to its roster, an addition made possible through a federal grant that will pay the salaries of three personnel.
The department was awarded more than $256,000 in funding through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, or SAFER, grant. The funds for staffing have been available for use since April 1, and new firefighter prospects are undergoing background checks before officials make final selections.
The additions will bring the authorized staffing level to 79, said Fire Chief Marion Blackwell. The three hires will be dispersed among the three rotating shifts, allowing 23 firefighters to staff city fire stations each day. Currently, 22 firefighters work each shift.
Full story: Spartanburg Fire Department to use grant to hire more firefighters