From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is getting 75 new firefighters, thanks to a $9.8 million SAFER grant award.

There are 100 vacancies that are being funded, and a class of 70 will begin the fire academy mid-March. The SAFER grant class of 70 will begin in June, Cochran said.

The grant will allow four firefighters to staff each fire apparatus. Currently, 66% of calls are manned by fire trucks with only three firefighters. The new hires would all but guarantee that all trucks that go would have at least fourfighters. Read the entire article here.