The South Bend Fire Department will be able to hire some new employees thanks to an influx of cash from the federal government.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Friday, July 14, that the South Bend Fire Department is a 2016 recipient of a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant. The grant provides $356,714 over three years and enables the department to hire three new employees.

“This grant brings more jobs to South Bend and further strengthens our fire department. This added funding will help the department continue to keep our community safe. Congratulations to Chief Cox and the entire department,” said South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

The SAFER grant program was created to give funding directly to fire departments to help them increase or maintain the number of trained front-line firefighters.