Stabenow, Levin Announce Grants for Two U.P. Fire Departments

Two Upper Peninsula fire departments will receive federal grants to purchase new firefighting vehicles, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin announced today.

Sugar Island Township Fire Department will receive $208,696 and Norway Volunteer Fire Department will receive $237,500 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"Today's announcement is great news for Sugar Island Township Volunteer Fire Department, City of Norway Fire Department, and families across the Upper Peninsula," Stabenow said. "Our first responders risk their lives to keep our families safe, and they rely on these resources to do their jobs safely."

"Firefighters and emergency medical personnel stand ready every day to respond to fires and other emergencies," Levin said. "These grants will help the fire departments in Norway and Sugar Island Township carry out their vital mission of protecting lives and property in their communities."

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program allows fire departments across the country to compete for federal grant money in several categories. The award announced today is from the Vehicle Acquisition program, which helps local fire departments purchase equipment such as pumpers, aerials, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles and ambulances. 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.