Mason City Fire Department gets major grant to help with hiring more firefighters

MASON CITY — The Mason City Fire Department has received almost $400,000 in a federal grant to help hire more firefighters.

Chief Erik Bullinger says the department is getting a total of $399,921 awarded through the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, also known as SAFER.

Bullinger says the SAFER program is designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards, as well as improve the nation’s overall level of preparedness by supporting the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

Bullinger says with the grant award, the Fire Department will more effectively and safely respond to emergencies with improved staffing and deployment capabilities for the city and surrounding area.