NEWARK, NJ - The city’s fire department will receive about $2.6 million from a federal grant that will go towards hiring more firefighters, officials announced today.

Newark was one of three municipalities to receive a piece of a $4.9 million Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Newark’s portion will be used to hire 20 new firefighters, city officials said today.

“It's a great day when we're able to add 20 additional firefighters,” Mayor Ras Baraka said to reporters at Engine 10 on Clinton Avenue. “As our city grows and becomes bigger, more residents, more development, more opportunity we have to add on to our police, add on to our fire and have citizens safer."

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There are currently 468 firefighters, 125 captains and 37 chief officers in the city’s fire department, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said. While some vacancies exist in the department, hiring more will help to maintain the city’s complement, Jackson added.

“The City of Newark is growing. With more people, more businesses and more homes, this leads to increased...calls and this can be taxing on our resources and manpower," Jackson said, adding that grants help the fire department to “achieve our goals to provide a safe and livable community."

Newark Assistant Public Safety Director Raul Malave III said that although there are some vacancies in the fire department, it's still providing “excellent service now.”

"You always have to keep a level of vacancies to receive a SAFER grant because as those members come off of the SAFER grant and go into the city's budget, we have to have spots for them,” Malave said in response to a reporter’s question.





U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and John McCain worked together across party lines on the legislation that re-authorized the SAFER grant. About $31.7 million in SAFER grants has been secured over the last eight years for Newark, Menendez's office said.

"In the post-Sept. 11 world that we live in, having a robust fire and police department in all the municipalities - but certainly in the state's largest city - is critically important,” Menendez said during a press conference.

The city has been advertising open positions in the fire department.

Those interested in becoming a Newark firefighter may apply on the Civil Service Commission’s website. For more information about applying, call (973) 733-7446 or visit any firehouse. Additional information may be obtained at the city’s Division of Community Relations at 1010 18th Ave.

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