The city of Jackson plans to hire nine additional firefighters, thanks to a $1.9 million federal grant.
The grant is a part of a deal the Jackson City Council approved Tuesday night. A new labor contract with firefighters includes a commitment to accept the federal grant. The city says it would rehire three laid-off firefighters, and add six new positions -- this after budget cuts eliminated 15 firefighter positions and closed two fire stations in Jackson. The federal grant would pay for the additional firefighters for two years.
Officials with the International Area F ire Fighters union have approved the agreement, but union members still have to vote on the deal before the grant money can be accepted.
This comes just a few days after the city of Lansing received a nearly $2.3 million dollar federal grant to add eight firefighters back to its fire department.
