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.

Carl Hessler Jr.
The Mercury, Pottstown, Pa.
(TNS)

Mar. 2—NORRISTOWN — Saying a New Jersey woman acted recklessly and with malice, a judge sent her to prison for more than a decade for driving her vehicle into a team of emergency responders, causing the death of a firefighter and injuring several others who were investigating an earlier crash on Interstate 76 in Lower Merion Township (PA).

“Who protects the protectors?” Montgomery County Judge William R. Carpenter pondered on Thursday as he sentenced Jacquelyn Walker to 12 to 24 years in prison in connection with the 3:23 a.m. July 24, 2021, crash in the westbound lanes of I-76 in Lower Merion.

Walker, 64, of the 700 block of Wild Oaks Court, Little Egg Harbor, N.J., previously pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree murder, aggravated assault by vehicle, recklessly endangering other persons and speeding in connection with the crash that killed Lower Merion firefighter Thomas Royds, 48, who was covering a shift with the Belmont Hills Fire Co., and injured several other first responders.

Carpenter said third-degree murder was the appropriate charge.

“She acted recklessly. She acted with malice. The amount of pain and suffering this defendant has caused is enormous,” Carpenter said.

Third-degree murder is a killing committed with malice. Prosecutors alleged Walker engaged in sustained recklessness when she operated a vehicle with a defective braking system for several hours before striking the first responders.

Royds, of Springfield, was a career and volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years, serving the Lower Merion community at the Union Fire Association and the Belmont Hills Fire Co. as well as seven years as a volunteer in Clifton Heights.

Carpenter’s sentence included several consecutive terms to represent each of the first responders who were injured.

Seated in a wheelchair and appearing frail, Walker sobbed and apologized to the victims and their families.

“I’m truly, truly sorry,” said Walker, adding she didn’t intend to harm anyone and pleading with the victims not to hate her. “I’ll pray for this the rest of my life.”

Dozens of firefighters, state troopers and other first responders attended the hearing and they arrived in several emergency vehicles that parked in front of the courthouse in a show of support for the victims.

Grief and heartache permeated the courtroom as members of Royds’ family and several of the injured firefighters choked back tears when they testified about the impact the incident had on their lives.

“I never got to tell him I loved him one last time. It keeps a burden on my mind. Every day it’s a different struggle,” Thomas Royds-Helverson, Royds’ son, testified, adding his father loved helping others. “Hopefully, his legacy will live with us and live on with everyone.”

William Kamp-Helverson, Royds’ second son, testified Royds was a dedicated firefighter who never complained, adding, “He was a great father and an even greater firefighter.”

Firefighters Alex Fischer and Sam Shaffer, who suffered serious injuries during the crash, described Royds as a mentor to the younger men, “a man of wisdom and kindness.”

“My life was changed forever. I forgive you. But actions have consequences,” Shaffer addressed Walker directly.

Kevin Kelley, a firefighter who witnessed the carnage and was nearly struck by Walker’s vehicle, told the judge, “I will never forget the bangs of each individual hit.”

Carpenter imposed the sentence that was sought by District Attorn