Stabenow, Peters Announce $104,500 for City of Manistee Fire Department

U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the City of Manistee Fire Department will receive $104,500 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to secure safety equipment, including a heart monitor and hydraulic rescue tools. This grant is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

 "Our firefighters in Manistee 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.”

“Manistee’s firefighters put their lives on the line to protect their neighbors’ families, homes, and businesses,” said Senator Gary Peters. “Thanks to this funding, these fire responders will be better equipped to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”

“The Manistee City Fire Department is the longest continuously staffed full time fire department. We are sensitive to the fact that we provide advanced life support and fire response within budgetary limits,” said Timothy E. Kozal, Director of Public Safety, Manistee Police Department. “The AFG grant opens opportunities to equip us with essential tools to provide exemplary customer service to the citizens of Manistee. Fulfilling deficiencies in current inventory with state of the art extrication equipment and heart monitors will allow us to continue to mitigate critical EMS and fire events timely and professionally.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has bolstered public safety by providing nearly $7.3 billion since 2001 for infrared cameras, personal protective gear, hazmat detection devices, improved breathing apparatuses, and interoperable communications systems. This equipment is essential to ensuring the safety of firefighters as they respond to emergencies and protect our communities.

Eligible fire departments and Emergency Medical Services organizations in Michigan and across the country can apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grants. These competitive grants help first responders purchase the equipment and obtain the training needed to handle fire-related hazards. More information about the grant can be found at http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program.