Newtown Township has clinched a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant of $1,556,953, paving the way for the addition of four new firefighters by early 2024.
The grant ensures that the salaries and benefits of these firefighters will be fully covered for three years, according to the township.
By 2024, Newtown Fire Rescue will have a team of 12 full-time, career firefighters. They will work with the local volunteer firefighters.
Officials have indicated that the bolstered staffing will guarantee a staffing seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Credit: Chris English/NewtownPANow.com
The expansion is pivotal in “ensuring swift response to emergencies,” they said.
The will cover the entire cost of the new firefighters for three years.
Newtown Township had applied for the SAFER grant on multiple occasions before finally securing the funds under the leadership of Chief Glenn Forsyth.
In a statement, the fire department expressed gratitude, “We want to thank the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors for dedicating efforts to provide for fire protection of our community. We look forward to hitting the ground running and starting recruitment and advertisement soon.”
Newtown Fire Rescue traces its origins back to 1996. That was when the township began supplementing its volunteer fire service with paid fire crews. Since then, the department has seen growth. Presently, the paid department serves both Newtown Township and Newtown Borough, with the latter contributing to its operational costs.
