Senators announce nearly $1 million in federal support for southeast Michigan fire departments

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) on Thursday announced that the City of Dearborn, City of Dearborn Heights, Village of Beverly Hills, City of Sterling Heights, City of Auburn Hills, and Scio Township will receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve operations and safety. The funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.

Dearborn will receive $225,854 for officer safety training and technical rescue training, as well as for needed health screening for all city firefighters. Dearborn Heights will receive $98,125 to purchase new hoses, nozzles, and appliances for its fire truck, as well as technical rescue equipment. Sterling Heights will receive $507,270 to replace systems at all five fire stations to ensure a safe working environment for their first responders. This funding will also support another year of comprehensive physical examinations, cancer screenings, health and wellness education, and behavioral health education for first responders at the department. Auburn Hills will receive $87,025 to purchase fire hose nozzles for a collaborating regional group of fire departments including Auburn Hills, Holly Village, Brandon Township, and Farmington. Scio Township will receive $26,256 to develop a wellness and fitness program for their fire department.  

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said Stabenow. “These new resources will help keep the public safe and give our first responders the equipment and training they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”

“It is critical that firefighters and first responders have the adequate training, medical support, and up-to-date equipment to continue doing their jobs safely and effectively,” said Peters, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “These grants will ensure that fire departments and emergency responders in Southeast Michigan have the resources necessary to protect the first responders and those they serve in their communities.”

Additional information about these grants can be found at www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters.