For the first time in more than a decade, Cheyenne Fire Rescue has been awarded a Staffing for Fire and Emergency Response grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Chief John Kopper announced Wednesday.

CFR says the roughly $2.6 million grant will be used to hire nine new firefighters and requires no matching funds from the city.

"This amount will offset some costs to the city for the next three years," CFR said in a press release.

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The SAFER grant was created by FEMA to provide direct funding to fire departments and volunteer fire interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained front-line firefighters within communities.

"These federal funds will enhance public safety and help CFR better protect the community as it continues to grow," CFR said.

"Likewise, it will help boost staffing levels to an appropriate level to operate CFR Fire Station No. 4, which is being constructed on the east side of Cheyenne," CFR added.

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