The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department got the go-ahead from the city council to proceed with applications for a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.The grant would facilitate the hiring of firefighters for up to two years, with the city shouldering none of the cost.The board members expressed some concern that they could get stuck with the tab for the salaries after the grant money runs out, but city fire chief Charlie Parker assured the mayor and aldermen that the city would be under no financial obligation to continue funding the positions with local money once funds from the grant are gone.“The grant is a two-year total grant and it would be for hiring full-time personnel,” Parker told the board.“It would go up to a max of $230,000 for salary supplements for that two years. That's the maximum amount. That doesn't mean that we will get the full amount but it could be some in part up to that for personnel.