Fire that Killed 9 Firefighters Cost Charleston, S.C. $7.4 Million
Records obtained by a Charleston, South Carolina, newspaper show the city has spent or plans to spend more than $7.4 million after the fire that killed nine firefighters last year.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that it obtained the information through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The money comes from funds budgeted after the June 18 fire, emergency reserves and $228,000 a local businessman donated for new uniforms.
The city has raised property taxes for the first time since 1999 because of the costs.
The city has spent about $3.6 million for staffing, equipment and training improvements in the fire department.
A city-appointed panel recommended some 200 changes after the fire. The most expensive items include dozens of new positions for firefighters, officers and dispatchers.
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Information from: The Post and Courier,
http://www.charleston.net
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