Stabenow, Levin announce federal support for Ishpeming, Spalding Township fire departments

Fire departments in Ishpeming and Spalding Township will receive federal grants to boost operations and safety, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin announced. The Ishpeming Volunteer Fire Department will receive $24,013 and the Spalding Township Fire Department $65,283.

"Our firefighters provide critical services to communities across Michigan," Stabenow said. "This support will help make sure that the Ishpeming and Spalding Fire Departments have the resources they need to protect the public."

"Our emergency first responders put their lives on the line every day for us, so they deserve our full support, and this federal assistance will help these Upper Peninsula firefighters serve their communities," Levin said.

The competitive grants come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants. The grant program is designed to help local emergency agencies obtain firefighting equipment, pay for training, modify facilities or for other purposes to increase firefighting capacity.