The Wright City Fire Protection District is doubling its paid staff, thanks to a federal grant.The district was awarded a $444,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said Chief Ron Mac-Knight.“This will pay for the salaries and benefits of six full-time firefighters for two years,” he said. “It will make a huge difference. We are so blessed to get this.”The grant is part of Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, which was created to provide funding to firefighter organizations to help them meet staffing and response standards set by the National Fire Protection Association.The district serves a population of 10,300 in 90 square miles in parts of Warren and Lincoln counties around Wright City. It’s staffed by a few full-time members and a large group of volunteers, MacKnight said volunteers train for 300 hours and are not paid. They do it to serve their communities.MacKnight said the district is similar in size to other cities like it but, as a district in a growing community, needs are changing.He said six more firefighters will likely shorten response times to calls, increase administrative productivity and help the district be more available for things like car seat inspections and fire safety and prevention events in the community.The Wright City Fire Protection District responds to 600 to 700 calls a year and has mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire districts when necessary to ensure the safety of residents and meet or exceed safety standards.The district is now preparing for the addition of six new firefighters. They will need to be hired, provided with uniforms, protective gear and sleeping quarters, MacKnight said.Wright City Fire Protection District