United States Senator Gary Peters, who is the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is calling on the Senate to pass legislation that would reauthorize federal grants that support fire stations across the state of Michigan.
Peters says, the programs are set to expire and are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.
“Firefighters put their health, their safety, and their lives on the line each and every day to protect our communities. They should be able to count on Congress to have their backs,” said Senator Peters. “That’s why I’m committed to passing my bipartisan legislation to extend these grant programs and ensure fire stations in Michigan and across the country have what they need to continue doing their critical jobs safely and effectively.”
Since 2012, the Grand Rapids Fire Department has received $8.2 million dollars from these programs, which has helped hire 8 additional firefighters, replace equipment and paid for an extensive effort to provide and install free smoke detectors in citizens’ homes.