From the Portland Press Herald: More Portland (Maine.) firefighters will be on the streets and the department's heavy-rescue vehicle will roll once again — at least for two years — with the aid of a $1 million federal grant.

The SAFER grant will allow the Portland Fire Department to hire 12 people, partially filling a 19-person hole created by budget cuts over the past several years. The gain of 12 firefighters will mean an additional three people on duty per shift, bringing the total number of Portland firefighters on hand at any given time to 33 from 30.

It also means the return to action of the department's heavy-rescue vehicle. With the loss of personnel, the rescue vehicle sat empty and the tools it carried were spread around the department.

The new firefighters will be hired this summer and should be on duty by December.