WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced bipartisan legislation to extend federal programs that help support local fire departments across the country. The programs are set to expire in the coming years. The bill would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The programs are set to expire in the coming years and are used by local fire departments use to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services. In 2021, Michigan fire departments received more than $10.8 million from the AFG program and more than $8 million from the SAFER grant program. Peters introduced similar legislation that advanced in the Senate last Congress.

“Brave and courageous firefighters depend on critical federal programs to safeguard Michiganders and people across the nation from fires and other emergencies,” said Senator Peters. “By extending these important programs, this bipartisan legislation will help the federal government ensure dedicated first responders have the resources they need to safely fight fires and effectively protect communities.”

Fire departments use these federal programs to recruit and retain additional personnel, as well as buy up-to-date vehicles and equipment such as breathing air compressors, hoses, nozzles, and more. Fire stations also utilize the programs to fund safety training and technical rescue training, as well as health screenings for firefighters.

The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes SAFER, AFG, and the USFA until 2030. It authorizes $95 million for USFA – a nearly $20 million increase from current levels, and maintains currently authorized levels of funding for the SAFER and AFG programs.

Below are statements in support of Peters’ bipartisan legislation:

“Fire chiefs in Michigan use federal grants to replace aging equipment, train personnel, and ensure that our firefighters are safe as they put their lives on the line to protect communities,” said Fire Chief Johnny Menifee, President of the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs. “It is essential that we continue to have access to these essential programs to strengthen our ability to respond to fires. Thank you to Senator Peters for leading this legislation, and for his continued support of fire stations in Michigan.”

“These critical federal programs help ensure that Michigan’s firefighters have what they need to save lives, and put out fires that threaten our homes, businesses, and schools,” said Fred Timpner, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters. “By leading this legislation to reauthorize important grant programs that provide millions to our fire stations each year, Senator Peters continues to show his unwavering support for firefighters safe communities in Michigan and across the nation.”

“Firefighters in Michigan rely on these critical programs to increase staffing levels for the safety of our members and the citizens we protect.  In addition these programs also provide everything from health screenings to having the equipment we need to safeguard communities across the state,” said Matthew Sahr, President of the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union. “I am deeply grateful to Senator Peters for leading this legislation to ensure fire stations have increased federal support to ensure firefighters are protected in the line of duty.”

“With increasing apparatus costs, supply costs, personnel costs,

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced Wednesday that Lee Township will receive a $129,545 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The Lee Township Fire Department will use the funding to purchase 10 new self-contained breathing apparatuses.  

“It’s critical that fire departments have the federal support they need to keep their equipment up-to-date to protect our firefighters and the communities they serve,” said Senator Peters, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has introduced legislation to extend this grant program. “I’m proud to have helped secure this funding for Lee Township to replace aging equipment so their first responders can continue to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

“Our firefighters 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.”

“When we respond to an emergency, we need to know that our equipment is up-to-date. This funding is coming at a very good time, because it will allow our department to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) to replace our current SCBA that will be deemed obsolete soon,” said Daryl Amrozowicz, Lee Township Fire Chief. “I want to thank Senators Peters and Stabenow for their support.”

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

The Flandreau City Council voted Tuesday to approve the $2.9 million base bid from WS Construction to build a new fire station, moodycountyenterprise.com reported.

There is $1.5 million in financing already established for the project, the report said. The city will most likely borrow an additional $475,000 from the local branch of the First Savings Bank, the report said.

It’s been a long process to get here but I think we’ve really done our due diligence on this one, a city official said.

Ten people were hospitalized after a Spirit Airlines plane bound for Orlando, Florida, made an emergency landing in Jacksonville due to a fire onboard, according to officials. Spirit Airlines Flight 259 landed at Jacksonville International Airport around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, after the crew reported a battery on fire in an overhead bin.
- PUB DATE: 3/3/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: ABC News

PHOTOS/VIDEO: It seemed like the fire engine made by American LaFrance in 1970 was completely finished with its life. After serving a fire department in Greeley, Colorado, it was sold off to a tiny mountain enclave and then again to the Frontier Refinery operation in Cheyenne. When the operation no longer had a need for the aging machine, it was moved to a field outside of town, where it sat for more than a decade.
- PUB DATE: 3/3/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Oil City News