BOSTON --
More than 100 Bay State firefighters who were laid off during budget cuts will get their jobs back, Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday.
Patrick said he would release $8.1 million in federal stimulus funds to 13 municipal fire departments to rehire a total of 127 firefighters.
“These stimulus funds come at a critical time, and promise to bring immediate relief to these 13 fire departments and enhance local public safety," Patrick said.
The $8.1 million will be used to rehire firefighters in Bridgewater, Easton, Fall River, Hull, Lakeville, Lawrence, Methuen, Monson, New Bedford, North Attleboro, Quincy, Walpole and Worcester.
Fall River will be able to hire back 44 laid-off firefighters.
"With the use of federal stimulus funds, every single one of those Fall River firefighters has a job again," Patrick said.
"When I came to work and it was raining out and looked lousy outside, and all of you were coming here, maybe getting wet, I said to myself, 'It is not a rainy day today. Today is a bright, sunny day for Fall River,'" said Fall River Fire Chief Paul Ford.
"It took a long time to get the job -- a lot of effort, a lot of training. I was on the job for a little over two years, and to just lose it was very devastating for me and my family. But today is a very good day and I am happy," said Fall River firefighter Coury Garside.
With the funds, New Bedford will be able to hire back 33 firefighters and Worcester can hire back 16.
The Patrick administration earmarked $20 million in federal stimulus funding to help cities and towns rehire as many laid-off firefighters as possible, prevent further layoffs and address staffing reductions caused by attrition. More funding awards are expected to be announced.
Eighty-seven fire departments from across the state submitted applications to be considered for the funds.
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