Contra Costa County Fire has announced the awarding of a $6.5 million federal grant to bolster the district’s financing and fund firefighter positions.

The grant from the U.S Department of Homeland Security will fund 21 firefighter positions over the next two years as part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) program, according to a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District news release. The district’s Board of Directors voted to accept the grant on May 10.

The fire district’s budget for fiscal year 2011-12, adopted before the grant approval, calls for the closure of up to five stations with staffed fire engines.

“This funding will be directly responsible for keeping two fire stations open during the two-year performance period of the grant,” said Fire Chief Daryl Louder. “This award will significantly enhance the safety for the community and our firefighters by keeping resources in service.”

CCFPD covers unincorporated parts of the county as well as nine cities, including Lafayette, Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. The district received congratulations from two area congressional reps, John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, and George Miller, D-Martinez.

“Even in financially challenging times, it is essential that these men and women continue to protect the health and well-being of our community. Simply put, this grant helps our firefighters keep us safe," Garamendi said.

The SAFER program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities.