Senators Peters, Slotkin Announce More than $17 Million in Federal Support for Southeast Michigan Fire Departments

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI) announced that local fire departments across Southeast Michigan are set to receive more than $17 million in federal funding. The funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs. In 2024, Peters led the charge to extend these federal grant programs that help local fire departments address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services. “Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to protect Michiganders. It’s absolutely essential that we provide them with the tools needed to do their jobs safely,” said Senator Peters . “I was proud to work in a bipartisan way to extend these vital grant programs, and I’m pleased this funding will help ensure fire departments across Southeast Michigan have the proper equipment and staffing levels necessary to keep our communities safe.” “As elected officials, it is our responsibility to ensure that Michigan’s firefighters and front-line responders are protected. I join my colleague, Senator Gary Peters, in welcoming the more than $17 million in federal support for Southeast Michigan firefighters,” said Senator Slotkin . “We’ve worked in a bipartisan way to secure this essential grant funding. And now, these dollars will be used to address staffing needs, enhance safety training, and provide much-needed equipment for the brave folks who put their lives on the line every day to keep Michiganders safe.” “Funding from grant programs like AFG and SAFER are vital to ensure our firefighters have access to the equipment and high-quality training that prepares them to meet the challenges of various incidents and hazards," said Joseph Murray, Fire Chief of the Dearborn Fire Department. “ These critical federal investments will directly improve the Dearborn Fire Department's operational capacity and reduce the strain on our frontline crews during challenging incidents. We are deeply grateful to Senator Gary Peters for his continued advocacy in securing these vital federal resources.” “Receiving AFG funding for new air packs, masks, and breathing-air bottles is a tremendous investment in the safety of our firefighters and the residents we serve,” said Stephen Kohut, Fire Chief for Armada Township. “For a small department like Armada Fire, this funding allows us to obtain critical protective equipment that would otherwise place a significant burden on our local budget, while ensuring our firefighters have the reliable equipment they need to safely protect our community.” “These FEMA grants enable us to provide the highest-quality emergency response and community risk reduction services to our community,” said Brian Siriani, Deputy Chief of the Brighton Area Fire Authority. “Thank you to Congress for reinstating them.” “This regional grant award is a tremendous example of what can be accomplished through cooperation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serving our communities,” said Chief Matt Weil, North Oakland Fire Authority. “The Village of Holly, Groveland Township Fire Department, Oxford Fire Department, and NOCFA worked together with incredible resolve to bring this project across the finish line, and we’re thankful for the support of Senator Peters and our federal partners, and especially for the hard work of our grant-writing team who helped make this project possible.” Below are descriptions of each project: Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs : The Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs will receive $856,145 from the SAFER program to retain or expand emergency personnel staffing levels. North Oakland County Fire Authority : The North Oakland County Fire Authority will receive $698,071 from the AFG program to purchase additional cardiac monitors. The funds are being split with Groveland Township, the village of Oxford, and the village of Holly. Rochester Hills Fire Department : Rochester Hills Fire Department will receive $3,215,962 from the SAFER grant program. This investment will allow the department to hire 12 additional firefighters. These new firefighters will allow staffing for an additional ambulance and fire apparatus in the community. Bruce Township Fire Department: Bruce Township Fire Department will receive $1,658,300 from the SAFER program to retain or expand emergency personnel staffing levels. Brighton Area Fire Authority: Brighton Area Fire Authority will receive a total of $2,773,575 for two separate grant awards: $2,089,575 from the SAFER grant program to hire 12 additional full-time firefighters and $684,000 from the AFG program to purchase 73 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) to replace out-of-compliance units. Dearborn Fire Department: The Dearborn Fire Department will receive a total of $2,681,733 for two separate grant awards: $2,505,790 from the SAFER program to hire 12 additional firefighters and $175,943 from the AFG program to provide specialized hazard training to its crew members. Lincoln Park Fire Department : Lincoln Park Fire Department is set to receive $1,984,015 from the SAFER program to retain or expand emergency personnel staffing levels. Westland Public Service : The Westland Public Service will receive $555,894 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Charter Township of Van Buren: The Charter Township of Van Buren will receive a total of $480,426 from two separate grant awards: $449,154 from the SAFER program to retain or expand emergency personnel staffing levels and $31,272 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed strengthen operational safety. Waterford Regional Fire Department : The Waterford Regional Fire Department is set to receive $455,545 from the AFG program to upgrade exhaust systems at Fire Stations throughout the region. Richmond Lenox Emergency Management Services : Richmond Lenox Emergency Management Services will receive $401,893 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Southfield Fire Department : The Southfield Fire Department will receive $320,612 from the AFG program to provide Rapid Intervention Crew Training classes for all active department firefighters. These classes will provide critical training for crew members to manage lost or trapped incidents while on duty. City of Roseville : The City of Roseville will receive $252,645 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Armanda Fire Department : The Armanda Fire Department will receive $224,761 from the AFG program for the purchase of firefighter health and safety equipment, including air packs and air bottles for interior firefighting operations. Sterling Heights Fire Department : The Sterling Heights Fire Department will receive $198,454 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. City of Port Huron : The City of Port Huron will receive $221,418 from the AFG program for rope rescue operations and technician training for all Port Huron firefighters over the next two years. Superior Township : Superior Township will receive $81,415 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Commerce Township : Commerce Township will receive $74,557 from the AFG program to purchase 10 portable radios to strengthen the department’s operational safety. Pittsfield Township Fire Department : The Pittsfield Township Fire Department will receive $68,181 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Elk Township (Sanilac County) : Elk Township will receive $42,285 from the AFG program to purchase vehicle-mounted exhaust capturing systems. These devices will help protect firefighters from dangerous exhaust gases while responding to an emergency situation. City of Grosse Pointe Farms : The City of Grosse Pointe Farms will receive $57,142 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Lasalle Township : Lasalle Township will receive $29,333 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. City of New Baltimore : The City of New Baltimore will receive $28,403 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Hamtramck Fire Department : The Hamtramck Fire Department will receive $17,819 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety. Peters’ Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorized robust funding for the SAFER and AFG programs, as well as the United States Fire Administration (USFA), until 2028. It reauthorizes $95 million for USFA – a nearly $20 million increase from previously authorized levels. 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. Funding from these programs can also be used to fund safety training and technical rescue training, as well as health screenings for firefighters. Peters is co-chair, and Slotkin is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, which works to advance initiatives which support first responders. More information about these grants can be found here . ###