Fire Rescue News- Federal grant allows Atlantic City to hire more than 20 new firefighters

Posted: Thursday, November 3, 2011 12:24 am | Updated: 12:27 am, Thu Nov 3, 2011.

By EMILY PREVITI Staff Writer pressofAtlanticCity.com

ATLANTIC CITY — More than 20 new firefighters will be hired within a month using part of a $9.7 million federal grant, city officials confirmed Wednesday.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response money will pay the salaries of 21 new firefighters for two years, bringing the department up to....Continue Reading

adequate staff levels under program guidelines, and fund a dozen promotions to captain as well.

The money, awarded in February, was first used in May to bring back 28 of 30 firefighters laid off last year amid budget cuts. One firefighter chose not to return, while another was on disability and could not return under the grant, which only pays for those who respond to fires.

Atlantic City Fire Chief Dennis Brooks said the city will pay to hire another two firefighters not covered by the grant. They are necessary because the department must maintain the staffing levels it had when awarded the money Feb. 11 to remain eligible for the grant.

The city called in potential firefighters months ago to fill out applications, but hadn't started background checks. Those will begin soon, because the city awarded to Synergy Investigation Services a $9,500 contract to look into the 37 candidates on the current list, city director of revenue and finance Michael

Stinson said.

Brooks said he expects by the end of the week to send letters outlining the interview process to those potential new hires. The city must make its decision before that list expires at the end of this month, he said.

When the city approved the grant, officials said those hired for the two years would be told that the job was only guaranteed for that long. Some of the new hires likely will stay on, however, due to expected retirements.

Currently, seven fire department personnel are eligible for retirement, but that number will grow to about 25 a year from now, Brooks said.

Contact Emily Previti: 609-272-7221 EPreviti@pressofac.com