LEWISTON — The city would add up to eight firefighter positions to the Central Station roster based on a federal grant proposal.

Fire Chief Paul LeClair outlined an application for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program through FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Our high hazard area is in the central district,” LeClair said. “Our apartment buildings present a high level of risk for our firefighters and the community. Applying for a grant, where we are trying to improve our efficiency and capabilities, will garner attention and could win us an award.”

According to LeClair, winning the grant would let the city add firefighters to the Lewiston Engine 7 crew and the Ladder 1 crew. Both fire vehicles respond out of the city’s Central Fire Station at the intersection of College and Bates streets.

That would amount to eight new firefighters — four for Engine 7 and four for Ladder 1. LeClair said the grant would cover $393,000 in new costs for the first year of the grant and $408,000 for the second year.

If the city gets the grant, it has six months to fill the positions, LeClair said. The grant would pay all salaries and benefits for the positions for two years. The city would not have to match any money paid by the federal grant and would be free to eliminate the positions when the grant ends, he said

Councilors agreed to apply for the grant but had concerns about what would happen when the grant runs out.

“The last couple of budget cycles we have come close to having to take a truck off line, or close a station,” Councilor Mark Cayer said. “I’m afraid it will come up for discussion again. And I’ll just say this: Laying people off is a whole lot harder than hiring them.”

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