Stabenow, Levin Announce Firefighter Grants for Ann Arbor, Armada and Detroit

Three Southeast Michigan fire departments will each receive a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to help improve their operations and boost safety for their emergency personnel and the public, Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin announced today.

Ann Arbor Charter Township Fire Department will receive $89,186, Armada Township Fire Department will receive $24,206, and Detroit Fire Department will receive $1,176,300 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

"Our firefighters provide critical, courageous service to communities across Southeast Michigan," said Stabenow. "This support will help make sure the Detroit, Ann Arbor Charter Township, and Armada Township Fire Departments have the resources they need to protect the public."

"Communities everywhere turn to their fire departments for emergencies large and small," Levin said. "These grants will help provide needed assistance to the firefighters and EMTs of Ann Arbor, Armada and Detroit who stand ready every day to put their lives on the line for their communities."

The awards announced today are 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 EMS operations.

Fire departments and emergency medical services (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.