$2.6M Federal Grant Allows Cranston To Hire 15 Firefighters

CRANSTON, RI — The Cranston Fire Department will hire more than a dozen new members thanks to a $2.6 million grant. The funds come from a federal grant secured by the state's congressional delegation.

The Cranston firefighter's union, Local 1363, thanked Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin for their efforts to secure the $2,673,657 grant. All three gathered with Cranston Mayor Allan Fung on Tuesday for the announcement.

"Federal funding for hiring new firefighters will strengthen the Cranston Fire Department’s emergency response capabilities and improve public safety," said Congressman Langevin said. "I was proud to support Cranston’s application, and I congratulate the Department on winning this competitive award. It is critical that we keep working to ensure our local fire departments have the personnel they need to safeguard our communities."

The SAFER grant will allow the department to hire 15 new firefighters, the union said.