ORLANDO, Fla. - Orange County Fire Rescue is increasing its manpower, drastically, hiring 63 new firefighters.
The county getting a $9 million grant for the additional positions.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Orange County hiring 63 new firefighters
Orange County is hoping to cut down on response times by hiring 63 new firefighters.
“We were able to receive a federal grant to hire firefighters, and it’s a matching grant,” said Jerry Demings, Orange County Mayor.
Mayor Demings says the staffing increase will make the department more efficient.
“What it allows us to do is add a fourth person on our units, so that really can work to our advantage to cut down on response times, so that when a fire unit responds, they have adequate staff,” Demings said.
This means crews will be able to enter a burning house faster than ever before.
“They have to have four people on scene to go in if there is a true fire they are fighting, and so we don’t have to wait on a secondary unit to come now,” Demings said.
It's critical time that could save a life or home.
“We want to be efficient, rather than send two units, we have one unit that can get to extinguishing a fire," Demings said. "We want to be able to do that in a timely manner."
The new firefighters will help make that goal a reality.
Mayor Demings says he hopes to fill the positions as soon as possible.
“We’re gonna be very active in the coming year looking for fire personnel,” he said.