The Philadelphia Fire Department welcomed Class 196 to the Fire Academy on Feb. 18. The hiring of this group of more than 125 cadets was made possible largely through a $16.6 million federal grant awarded to the PFD last fall.

Over time, these new firefighters will bolster the department’s field personnel enough to allow the reopening of seven companies — five engines and two ladders — that were taken out of service during the Recession of 2008-09.

The competitive grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was one of three awarded last fall to the PFD.

The City last accepted applications for firefighter candidates in 2016; another recruiting drive is expected to begin later this year. Follow the PFD on social media for the announcement: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.