Mayor Tom Henry announces a federal  grant for
new firefighters. (WOWO Photo by Dean Jackson)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Thanks to a federal grant, Fort Wayne will be adding firefighters.

In an Monday press conference, Mayor Tom Henry announced a $1.4 million grant from FEMA. The so-called SAFER (Staff for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant will fund 10 additional members for two years.

The city will also hire five officers who aren't covered by the federal money.

Officials say the city has grown from 65 to 110 square miles in the past 15 years, the staffing will help prepare the community for the next 20 years.

Currently the city employees 343 firefighters and performs 18,000 runs a year.