The Aubrey Fire Department is getting more than $1.7 million in federal grant money to hire nine new firefighter-paramedics, the Denton Record-Chronicle reported Wednesday.
The city was among 17 agencies in Texas awarded funds in September through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, known as SAFER. The nine positions will put three more firefighters on each shift, according to the newspaper.
Fire Chief Eric Schlotter told the Record-Chronicle by email that staffing grants matter a great deal for fast-growing cities like Aubrey. He said the money helps the department keep up with rising demand for emergency services while giving the city time to build lasting ways to pay for the positions.
City Manager Charles Kreidler said in an email that the city is proud of its firefighters and that the grant will let the department grow its team.
Council meets tonight
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 22, at City Hall, 226 Countryside Drive. The agenda lists fire department swear-ins and promotions among the community announcements at the start of the meeting. It does not say whether those are tied to the grant.
