The Lexington Fire Department came into some extra money Tuesday.
Mayor Jim Gray and Congressman Ben Chandler announced a federal grant of $2.6 million for firefighters in the city.
The money will fund the salaries and benefits of 28 firefighters for two years.
The grant comes from the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program, which assists local fire departments with staffing and deployment.
Fire Chief Keith Jackson said in a statement that the SAFER grant will help to hire a class of 28 firefighters next January. A class of 18 will begin their routes in October, and another new bunch will be hired next June.
