Senators Stabenow and Peters Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Federal Support for Northern Michigan Fire Departments

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) announced that local fire departments across Northern Michigan will receive nearly $1.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs. Earlier this year, Peters led passage of bipartisan legislation to extend these programs, helping to ensure local fire departments have the resources necessary to continue protecting their communities and responding effectively to emergencies.  

“Our firefighters in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said Senator Stabenow. “These new resources will help keep the public safe and give our first responders the equipment they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”

“Firefighters and first responders risk their lives to protect our communities and families. It’s essential that we make sure they have the tools necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to lead the charge to extend these critical grant programs so we can continue to invest in our local fire departments in the years to come.” 

Below are descriptions of each project:  

• City of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department: The City of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department was awarded $234,666 to promote wellness among its firefighters, such as by providing cancer screenings and physicals. Funding will also be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and an air monitoring device.  
• Chippewa County Regional Grant Award: Six Chippewa County fire departments will receive $666,045 to purchase more than 100 new portable radios. This funding will improve communications for each of the participating agencies: the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department; Soo Township Fire Department; Bay Mills Township Fire Department; Sugar Island Township Fire Department; Dafter Township Fire Department; and Pickford Township Fire Department. 
• Mentor Township Fire Department: The Mentor Township Fire Department will receive $296,960 to purchase 800 MHz portable radios, which will help improve emergency response across Oscoda County.  
• Dafter Township Fire Department: Dafter Township Fire Department was awarded $44,041 to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for use specifically in wildland areas.  
• Morton Township Rescue Department: Morton Township Rescue Department will receive $130,000 to support recruitment and retention of firefighters.  
• Burleigh Reno Whittemore Fire Department: The Burleigh Reno Whittemore Fire Department will receive $118,666 to help replace equipment that will help keep its firefighters safe and improve emergency response.

“We could not accomplish our goal of health and wellness among our firefighters without the support of the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program,” said Ed Miller, Fire Chief of the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department. “We are extremely appreciative of Senator Peters for his support of this grant program, as well as the first responders who are direct beneficiaries of his work.” 

“Thanks to this grant funding, we will be able to outfit all of our firefighters with the equipment they need to stay safe when responding to wildland emergencies,” said Austin Conway, Fire Chief of the Dafter Township Fire Department. “We are very thankful for this assistance of Senator Gary Peters as he continues to advocate for the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Program.” 

Peters’ Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes the SAFER and AFG programs, as well as the United States Fire Administration (USFA), until 2028. It reauthorizes $95 million for USFA – a nearly $20 million increase from current authorized levels – and extends the authorization for the SAFER and AFG programs. Fire departments use these federal programs to recruit and retain additional personnel, as well as buy up-to-date vehicles and equipment such as breathing air compressors, hoses, nozzles, and more. Fire stations also use the programs to fund safety training and technical rescue training, as well as health screenings for firefighters. More information about these grants can be found here.  

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