Stabenow, Peters Announce Federal Support for Grand Rapids Fire Department

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the Grand Rapids Fire Department will receive $2,862,128 to hire 8 new firefighters. This funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said Senator Stabenow. “These new resources will help the Grand Rapids Fire Department make sure there is always someone there to answer the call in an emergency.”

“It’s important that our fire departments have the resources to maintain and hire personnel to continue serving their communities effectively,” said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m pleased to welcome this federal grant that will enable the Grand Rapids Fire Department to hire additional firefighters to support their operations.”

“This grant along with other FEMA assistance that we have been lucky enough to receive will strengthen our ability to respond to areas where we have demonstrated gaps. We are very thankful for these Federal programs which reduce the stress on our City’s budget,” said John Lehman, Grand Rapids Fire Chief.

More information about these grants can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer#awards

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