North Reading Fire Department Expanding With 4 New Firefighters

NORTH READING, MA — The North Reading Fire Department will add four firefighters after receiving nearly $985,000 in federal funding, according to the department.

The $984,692 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant will be combined with about $612,106 from the town. Together, the funding will provide nearly $1.6 million to support the four new positions.

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One firefighter will be added to each of the department's four shifts, bringing staffing to eight firefighters per shift.

The new positions follow an expansion of the department in recent years. North Reading has funded nine new Fire Department positions over the past three fiscal years, according to the release.

Officials said the latest additions will allow the department to meet its staffing plan and improve its ability to meet national staffing and response time standards.

Fire Chief Don Stats said expanding the department was one of his goals before becoming chief.

"I am thrilled to be able to have the funding to support my current staff and add additional firefighters to our department," Stats said.

Stats also thanked the town and Select Board for supporting the department's staffing efforts.