WORCESTER, Mass. - An $8.6 million FEMA grant will go a long way towards reinforcing the ranks of the Worcester Fire Department.

"So this is a SAFER grant," said Deputy Chief Adam Roche. "We were just awarded for the hiring of 30 new firefighters. We are going to start that class, it looks like in March early March of 2024."

Roche said the money will cover the new firefighters’ salaries three years. It's important and timely help, as the department works to cover retiring firefighters amid nationwide staffing shortages in the public safety profession.

"So we do have retirements that come through this time every year," Roche said. "We have a goal in the city of Worcester to put four fire fighters on every apparatus. Currently our staffing levels at are about 416 with our goal to get every apparatus with four members which will be about 452 members."

Last year, Worcester also received a SAFER grant of $14.1 million to hire 60 firefighters. The department also received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant award for $806,000 to increase inventory as well as gear for new recruits.

Roche said there are new developments and more people living in Worcester right now, so it's vital to invest in their ability respond to fire emergencies to meet the needs of the community.

"As the population grows and fluctuates between colleges reopening and summertime, and back into the workforce, people coming back from summer vacations, there becomes increases in calls and as the city expands and grows," he said. "Our population is growing, so the call the volume is going to increase year after year."