Stabenow, Peters announce federal support for Dearborn and Romulus fire departments

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) last Thursday announced that the Dearborn and Romulus Fire Departments will receive $5,329,029 to retain and recruit new staff. This funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

Dearborn will receive $3,780,230 to hire 12 new firefighters. Romulus will receive $1,548,799 to hire 6 new firefighters.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said Stabenow. “These new resources will help the Dearborn and Romulus Fire Departments 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 Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m pleased to welcome this federal grant that will enable fire departments in Dearborn and Romulus to hire additional firefighters to support their operations.”

“We appreciate the funding.  It will go a long way toward ensuring appropriate staffing for the fire department,” said Joseph Murray, Dearborn fire chief.

“The City of Romulus is thankful to be chosen as a 2022 SAFER Recipient.  The rate of residential and commercial development in the City of Romulus, creates challenges to meet the current and future emergency first response needs of the community. The funding for an additional six (6) Firefighters will afford our administration the opportunity to proceed with plans to enhance response times across the City and support the efforts of our dedicated men and women of the Romulus Fire Department.  We are eager to once again partner with FEMA in utilizing this award to permanently grow our response capabilities and thank our representatives in Washington and in Lansing for their continued support of our efforts,” said Robert A. McCraight, mayor of Romulus.

“The Romulus Fire Department is honored to again be selected to receive a FEMA SAFER Grant in 2022.  Previously, the department leveraged its SAFER grant to increase safety performance and enhance services by re-opening a second station in Romulus’ Hotel District to reduce response times to an area of the City where most of the travel industry support businesses are located.  In 2021, our firefighters began offering Advanced Life Support services also as a result of the SAFER Grant.  These accomplishments are part of the Department’s goal to become and Accredited Agency with the Center for Public Safety Excellence; to be recognized as a community-focused, strategic-minded department that is properly equipped, trained and staffed.  Thank you to our Legislators who believe in our mission and fight for us to get these much needed funds for the safety of our residents and others who work and play in Romulus,” said Kevin Krause, Romulus director of Community Safety and Development.

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