Suffolk County has received a $1.3 million federal grant to help recruit as many as 2,000 new firefighters over the next four years.

Larry Feld, Dix Hills' fire commissioner and a former chief, says he hopes the FEMA grant will help his department recruit and retain firefighters.

The money will be allocated to departments throughout the county to help reinstate a program called SERVES, which was discontinued last year after funding dried up. The program helps retain firefighters by providing tuition reimbursement for associate degree programs at any college in Suffolk County.

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) worked with fellow Reps. Peter King (R-Seaford) and Steve Israel (D-Melville) to secure the funds.