The Robbins Volunteer Fire Department is getting federal money to hire staff.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the department a $107,889 grant so Robbins can add employess to its volunteer firefighting company.

The money comes under the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) program.

This plan provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

"The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by NFPA (Nation Fire Prevention Association) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)," DHS says on its Web site. "Specifically, SAFER funds should assist local fire departments to increase their staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies whenever they may occur."

One goal of enhancing local staffing is so that response times be reduced and still maintain an appropriate number of personnel assembled at an incident scene. Robbins should have, as a result of this grant, at least four personnel trained to meet current OSHA standards.

"Ultimately, a faster, safer and more efficient incident scene will be established," DHS said. "Communities will have more adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards."

This grant will make it possible for Robbins to add enough paid staffing to help enhance their response to emergencies and assist with the daily operation of the department, according to the announcement of the grant.

Contact John Chappell at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.