Alexandria to Hire 12 New Firefighters, EMS Personnel

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the Alexandria Fire Department a $1.6 million grant to hire 12 new firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

The addition of these positions will bring four of the city’s eight engine companies up to minimum four-person staffing, in compliance with national standards. Alexandria has been functioning largely with three-person staffing, below the staffing levels of Fairfax and Arlington counties, according to Robert Rodriguez, chief fire marshal and community services officer with the Alexandria Fire Department.

"We have been attempting to get funding to meet that standard but it's been a long and ongoing process, especially in the face of an economic downturn," said Rodriguez. "This grant money is definitely a positive announcement that goes a long way toward meeting that national standard and making the Alexandria Fire Department more efficient and effective."

The grant goes into effect June 5 and concludes June 4, 2013. The new firefighters hired under this grant are expected to begin training around July 1.

It has not yet been decided which stations will house the new personnel.

“This is an important step forward in meeting the department’s commitment to public safety” said Alexandria Fire Chief Adam Thiel in a statement, adding that the staffing increase will help ameliorate concerns about the department that occurred after the August 2007 three alarm fire at Alexandria Knolls West.

The 12 positions will be fully funded during the period of performance for the grant and then the city will be required to continue to fund these positions for an additional year. The Fire Department was authorized to apply for the grant on Sept. 14 by the city council.