DFD Gets Grant To Save Many Jobs Targeted For Elimination, But Other Cuts Remain

A federal grant will help prevent the layoffs of more than 100 firefighters by the Detroit Fire Department, Michigan Sen. Carl Levin announced Wednesday.

The city will receive a $22.5 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, also known as SAFER. The program provides grants to fire departments nationwide.

“It is vital that we maintain the fire protection our citizens need, even during times of tight budgets,” Levin said in a statement. “This grant will help keep firefighters on the job and protecting the people of Detroit.”

Earlier this week, the city announced plans to lay off 164 firefighters as part of efforts to close its budget deficit. Officials hoped that a SAFER grant award could help restore more than 100 of those firefighters.

Even with the grant, officials plan to eliminate rigs and other positions in a department that is one of the busiest in the nation.