CITY OF NEWBURGH — Six men rejoined the Newburgh Fire Department Wednesday morning after a lack of city and grant funding forced them out of their positions over the summer.
The firefighters were sworn-in during a brief ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in City Hall.
The city's SAFER grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency ran out at the end of July.
Receiving the grant for a third time in September allowed the city to hire nine firefighting positions. The three-year grant totals $1,497,886, according to FEMA's website.
The department currently has 65 firefighters, including the six returning members. Three more positions will be filled at the end of February, said Fire Chief Terry Ahlers.
The returning firemen are: Matthew Kneeter, Chris Baum, William Gordon, Levi Miles, Matthew Gayton and Joseph Bedetti.
Kneeter, Gordon, Miles, Gayton and Bedetti were laid off, but knew it was possible they could be rehired when funding became available. Baum also faced being laid off, but chose to transfer to the Arlington Fire Department until he could be rehired, Ahlers said.
Ahlers said the additional manpower will allow the department to staff each truck with four firefighters, as opposed the three.
Senate-elect James Skoufis said during the ceremony he hopes the city will find a sustainable solution for keeping the firemen before the grant runs out again.
Interim City Manager Joe Donat said hiring a new city comptroller will be key to finding a way to finance the firefighters permanently.
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