A Rotterdam fire district has received a significant boost from a federal SAFER grant, amounting to $821,000, to strengthen its recruitment efforts. The funding, awarded to Rotterdam-Princetown Fire District No. 5, is set to enhance the district’s ability to attract new volunteers and bolster its firefighting capabilities.

Rotterdam has approved a contract that propels the town into the second phase of a $34 million infrastructure makeover. The newly funded work will replace fire hydrants and add shut-off valves across Water District No. 5, tightening control over the community’s water network and bolstering fire protection.