Vallejo Uses Grant To Add Services Lost After Declaring Bankruptcy
VALLEJO (KCBS) - After years of layoffs and a reduction in services, things are looking up for the city of Vallejo.
On Tuesday, the Vallejo City Council approved using grant money to hire nine firefighters for two years, buy two additional engines and reopen a fire station.
The station was closed and firefighters let go after the city declared bankruptcy three years ago.
KCBS' Bob Melrose:
Vallejo Fire Department Financial Analyst Edwin Gato said bringing back some firefighters will help with local safety.
"It's really great news for the city and it gives the city more services from the fire department," he said.
"Hopefully we can save more lives out there."
The city is hoping the firefighters can stay on even after the two-year grant expires.
In addition, Kaiser Permanente, which provided the grant, has agreed to supply enough funding to hire another police officer for an additional three years.
Although one new officer might not sound like much, city officials said one more officer is better than what they had the day before.
The Vallejo City Council voted to declare bankruptcy in May of 2008.
The North Bay city of 117,000 was the first California city of its size to ever do so.
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