Over $920K grant helps increase paramedic staffing in Ky. FD

By Bill Carey 
EMS1 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A $928,655 Assistance to Firefighters Grant will help the Lexington Fire Department fund paramedic training for its firefighters. 

The federal funding will cover overtime costs for students, instructors and more, Fox 56 reported. 

"This is a big step forward for us," Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said. "We have got the best fire department in the state and with this grant, we will be even better." 

More than half of Lexington's firefighters are certified paramedics. 

"It is really great to be able to put more paramedic students through," Firefighter and paramedic student Macy Hensley said. "That is going to enable us to really do the best job that we can for the community and then as a department, and just to have more highly trained people is always a benefit."