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Jacksonville is getting at least 40 new firefighters

Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville is getting at least 40 new firefighters – who will help keep you safe, as well as each other.

Firefighters never know what they’ll find inside a burning building. But soon, they’ll have extra backup when they get there.

“On March 7, we’ll be hiring at least 40 additional safer firefighters,” said Chief Keith Powers.

City Council approved the nearly $9 million grant Tuesday night. The federal government is kicking in $5,532,018 and the city is pitching in $3,438,822.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends firefighters never go into a dangerous situation alone. When two firefighters go in, two firefighters should be outside.

“For firefighter safety, that is our number one priority in this department. Taking care of the men and women who serve in this city,” said Powers.

The city is growing. JFRD added two new fire stations in the last couple of years. Keeping up with the growing number of homes and calls requires more firefighters. Through this grant, in 2015, 60 firefighters were hired. And now, there will be 40 more.

“They’ll come in they’ll go to our advanced recruitment training at the school for about 12 weeks, and then they will go to the street after that 12 weeks and become the fourth person,” he said.

Powers said this money not only helps firefighters stay safe, it helps you.

“It will save lives, not only for firefighter safety but when we have those extra people on scene, should we have numerous people trapped in a house fire, it allows us to get people in there quicker and get them out, so it helps the public as well as it helps us,” said Powers.

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