Senators Peters, Slotkin Announce More Than $700,000 in Federal Support for West Michigan Fire Departments

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI) announced that local fire departments across West Michigan will receive more than $700,000 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, which Peters. In 2024, Peters led the charge to extend these federal grant programs that help local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services. “Every single day, firefighters and first responders in Michigan and across the nation put their lives on the line to protect their communities. It’s vital that each department has the resources they need to keep themselves and Michiganders safe during an emergency,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to work in a bipartisan way to extend these essential grant programs, and I’m pleased to announce this federal funding for departments across West Michigan to ensure they have the proper equipment and staffing needed 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 $700,000 in federal support for West 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.” “The AFG grant monies will be used to build a new brush truck for our department. As chief I’m truly excited because our ability to provide service to our citizens will be vastly improved,” said Butch Attig, Fire Chief of the Muskegon Charter Township Fire Department . “This is also a moral booster for the department when the department is awarded a grant like this because they get a say in how the trucks will be built and where the equipment will go.” “Ross Township is thankful that the Ross Augusta Fire Department (RAFD) was selected for the AFG grant to aid our department in completing this costly upgrade in equipment,” said Christina Hutchings, Ross Township Supervisor. “SCBA's are truly a Firefighter’s lifeline when entering a burning structure to execute their duties to protect life and property, and this new equipment will help improve safety for our personnel,” said Jake Leatherman, Assistant Chief of Ross Augusta Fire Department. “This grant represents a significant investment in the health and safety of our firefighters. By replacing the remaining vehicle exhaust removal systems across our fleet, we are taking another important step toward reducing exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and providing a safer working environment for our personnel,” said Tony Gutierrez, Fire Chief of Norton Shores Fire Department. “We are grateful for FEMA’s support and remain committed to ensuring our firefighters have the equipment and resources they need to protect our community while safeguarding their own health.” “Purchasing this needed Personal Protection Equipment would not have been possible without the assistance of the FEMA AFG program,” said Steve Essenburg, Fire Chief of the City of Hudsonville Fire Department. “We appreciate Senator Peters' efforts on this committee as well and knowing how important this program is to the local fire departments.” Below are descriptions of each project: Marengo Township : Marengo Township will receive $254,526 to buy fire hoses and hose appliance systems. Ross Augusta Fire Department: The Ross Augusta Fire Department will receive $209,523 from the AFG program to purchase 22 self-contained breathing apparatus units. Muskegon Charter Township : Muskegon Charter Township will receive $149,545 for a new brush truck. City of Norton Shores : The City of Norton Shores will receive $97,236 to replace vehicle exhaust removal systems, improving air quality and reducing firefighters’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust emissions. City of Hudsonville : The City of Hudsonville was awarded $16,893 to purchase Personal Protection Equipment for new cadets. 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 current authorized levels – and extends the authorization for the SAFER and AFG programs. 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 use the programs 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 . ###