SPENCER, Mass. — For the first time ever, the Spencer Fire Department is staffed 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The department received a $1 million federal grant in 2023 allowing them to hire four more firefighters. It'll cover their salary and benefits for the next three years.

Chief Robert Parsons said this brings their staff to nine full-time firefighters, which means they have enough to always have two firefighters at the station. But he said when the grant runs out in three years, they'll need to rely on the town to continue covering the costs.

“Now the big thing is after three years we gotta get the town or the town’s people to support adding them on whether it be an override to bring the people on or they find some other type of magic bullet,” said Parsons. “Unfortunately, with today's budgets with the minimum local for schools and stuff it’s becoming very difficult. We're talking an override without these people because we just can't afford to pay our normal bills as it is today."

Chief Parsons said the community will benefit directly from the 24/7 staffing. Adding, homeowners insurance will go down and residents will notice faster response times to emergencies.