Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce $472,018 in Firefighter Grants for 9 Michigan Communities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, (D-MI) and Carl Levin, (D-MI) announced today that 9 fire departments throughout the state of Michigan have received $472,018 in grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Each city will use the funds for fire operations and firefighter safety programs or for fire prevention programs.

"This grant program provides funding directly to local fire departments to improve their ability to respond to fires and fire-related emergencies in their communities," Stabenow said. "These federal grants will help local firefighters protect the communities they serve, while protecting themselves with better equipment, training and conditioning.

"The hard work of our firefighters and the dangerous nature of their jobs demand the proper support and resources to help them do their jobs better and safer," said Levin. "This funding will go a long way to provide improved training and equipment and fire prevention programs."

These grants have been provided through the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, a joint effort of the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Fire Administration. As well as providing firefighters with safety and wellness classes and the public with awareness and safety activities, the program helps fund the purchase of new firefighting equipment and personal protective gear for firefighters. The program also covers modifications and enhancements to fire stations and facilities and the purchase of new firefighting vehicles.

Fire departments receiving grants are: