MIDDLEBORO — Six new firefighters will be hired in Middleboro, thanks to a federal grant award of more than $2 million.

This represents the largest mass hiring of firefighters in recent town history, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said at the Sept. 16 Select Board meeting where board members unanimously accepted the grant.

The money will be awarded through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant, known informally as a SAFER grant. This grant is distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA.

The $2,019,030 grant allows the department to operate the South and Central fire stations at all times with a three-member engine crew.

The department currently has a three-member engine company and a two-member ladder company at Central Station.

The additional staffing makes a significant improvement, Thompson said.

"There is a big difference between two-member and three-member crews," said Thompson. "With a three-member crew, we can immediately begin rescue and suppression efforts upon arrival, which we cannot safely do with just a two-member crew.’’

The grant will cover all personnel expenses associated with the cost of hiring six new full-time firefighters, including the town’s portion of their health insurance and pension liabilities.

The town will not have to match any costs.  

The grant will cover the costs of the firefighters for the next four fiscal years. During each of those years, the town will add $185,351 to the overall budget, although that money will not be spent when the grant is in place, Town Manager Jay McGrail explained.

This will allow the budget to accommodate the new spending when the grant expires.

The grant was a team effort with the Town Manager’s office, the Select Board, the Fire Department and Grant Writer Stephanie Hall, McGrail said.

“This was a home run for us,’’ he said. "We are extremely grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for awarding Middleboro these funds."

To show the department’s appreciation for the board’s support, Thompson awarded each select board member a department fire shield, representative of those on each firefighter’s helmet.

“Lives will be saved,’’ Select Board member Thomas White said. “That’s what’s most important.’’