Stabenow, Peters Announce Nearly $700,000 for Fire Departments in Clay Township, Bedford Township

U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Clay Township Fire Department in St. Clair County and the Bedford Township Fire Department in Monroe County will receive funding from the Department of Homeland Security to assist in the hiring, recruitment and retention of more firefighters. The Clay Township Fire Department will receive $691,980 for hiring more firefighters, while the Bedford Township Fire Department will receive $6,000 towards the recruitment and retention of first responders.

"Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our families, homes, and communities," said Senator Stabenow. "These resources will help the Clay Township and Bedford Fire Departments make sure there is always someone there to answer the call in an emergency."

"First responders are leaders in their communities who play a critical role in keeping our neighborhoods safe," Senator Peters said. "I applaud this funding which will allow fire departments in Clay Township and Bedford Township to be better prepared when emergencies strike."

"Our community will benefit from this grant by reducing overall response times, increase firefighter safety, reduce injuries, increased property conservation and provide a higher level of protection to the citizens of Clay Township and also the surrounding communities," said Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson. "This grant will pay for hiring six firefighters that will work 24 hour shifts. The added staff will free up existing firefighters to man duty shifts at Harsens Island Station."

The Department of Homeland Security's 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 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, an initiative to help ensure that fire departments nationwide have the firefighters they need to protect their communities and improve the nation's overall preparedness. During FY 2014, nearly $340 million was awarded directly to fire departments and volunteer support groups to expand the number of firefighters available.