Benton Harbor and Muskegon Heights Fire Departments Receive Support to Hire Emergency Personnel

Two West Michigan fire departments will receive new federal support to hire emergency personnel, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin announced today.

The Benton Charter Township Fire Department near Benton Harbor will receive a $225,496 federal grant, and the Muskegon Heights Fire Department will receive $995,000.

"Across southwest Michigan, our firefighters provide courageous service to communities like Benton Charter Township and Muskegon Heights," said Stabenow. "This grant will help both fire departments hire more first responders to protect the public."

"Our first responders are skilled and dedicated, and we need to provide the support their departments need to keep them on the job protecting our communities," Levin said. "These grants are an important part of meeting that responsibility."

Both grants come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. SAFER grants are awarded on a competitive basis to help local fire departments maintain 24-hour staffing.