Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $466,000 for the Grand Rapids Fire Department

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the Grand Rapids Fire Department will receive $466,948 in federal funding to improve operations and safety for firefighters and personnel. This federal grant comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

“Our firefighters in Grand Rapids 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.”

“Firefighters in Michigan put their safety on the line to protect their neighbors and communities, and it’s critical they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “These resources will allow firefighters in Grand Rapids to continue working to protect public safety and ensure our communities are even greater places to live, work and raise a family.”

“The Grand Rapids Fire Department is so happy to be awarded this Grant for Extrication and Technical Rescue equipment,” said John Lehman, Chief, Grand Rapids Fire Department. “This equipment which is carried on our front line apparatus is critical to our rescue response to vehicle accidents and entrapments. Auto technology is advancing rapidly and this grant will allow us to equip our firefighters to be able to adapt to those changes on our extrication scenes.”    

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/firegrants.

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