Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Fruitport Fire Department

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Fruitport Charter Township Fire Department to improve operations and safety. The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

"Our first responders provide critical services to communities like Fruitport across Michigan," said Stabenow. "This support will help make sure that Fruitport Charter Township Fire Department will have the resources it needs to protect the public."

"Every day, first responders in Fruitport stand ready to protect lives and property in their community," Levin said. "This grant will support the firefighters and EMTs of Fruitport FD and help them in their vital mission of keeping their community safe."

The department will receive $34,866 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

The award announced today is for operations and safety improvements, and can fund items such as professional training, wellness and fitness programs and equipment, personal protective gear for firefighters, facilities improvements, and supplies that support firefighting and emergency medical services (EMS) operations.

Fire departments and EMS organizations across the country may apply to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program in different categories, and their applications must meet certain criteria established by the major fire service organizations. Applications are evaluated in a competitive process by a panel of peers from fire and EMS organizations.

More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program can be found at www.fema.gov/firegrants.