Millcreek Township’s career fire department won’t mark a year in service until December.
But by the end of March, the size of that department’s full-time staff is expected to more than double.
Township officials on Thursday announced the Millcreek Township Fire Department’s recent receipt of a more than $5.4 million federal grant that it will use to hire more than 15 full-time firefighters. The money comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant program, and is one of two grants awarded in Pennsylvania.
The grant will cover the wages and benefits for the 15 firefighters for three years, Millcreek Fire Chief Michael Cliff said.
The Millcreek fire department is currently made up of its chief, 11 full-time firefighters and 34 part-time firefighters. The department provides 24-hour coverage with six firefighters working per shift out of the volunteer Kearsarge and West Ridge south fire stations.