QUINCY — Grant County Fire District No. 3 will soon be hiring two new full-time firefighters thanks to a sizable grant.

GCFD No. 3 received the SAFER Grant, which will allow the district to add two firefighters for a total duration of three years. District officials expect the additional firefighters will allow for increased staff on fire engines and in turn reduce response times.

“This will allow us to provide better fire protection and medical services to the City of Quincy, the City of George, the communities of Sunland and Crescent Bar and to all of (the) Quincy Valley,” stated the district in a release. “These two firefighters will be covering weekends which will enhance our coverage during peak response times.”

GCFD No. 3 has traditionally used volunteer firefighters to cover weekend shifts. With the two additional firefighters that burden will be eased during summer months and on concert weekends at the Gorge Amphitheatre. The Federal Emergency Management Agency pledged $296,787 for the grant, with the district pledging a required match of $121,491. District officials hope to have the two firefighters hired by the end of the year.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.