DETROIT (AP) - Detroit is getting a $24 million federal grant that will be used to hire 150 firefighters in the city.
The grant was announced this week by Michigan's U.S. senators.
It comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program.
The Detroit Free Press says the award is an annual one, but it's believed the hires would be supported by the grant for more than one year.
Executive Fire Commissioner Don Austin calls the federal money a "godsend."
He says the department has 781 firefighters, down hundreds due to retirements.
According to The Detroit News, the city has about 11,000 to 12,000 fires annually with 60 percent in blighted or unoccupied buildings.
