UP, Northern Michigan fire departments to receive $2.1M in FEMA funding

UPPER MICHIGAN. (WLUC) - Fire departments across the U.P. and northern Lower Michigan will be receiving more than $2.1 million in federal funding.

Michigan U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin announced the funding in a press release on Thursday.

The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant programs.

“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 Peters. “I was proud to work in a bipartisan way to extend these vital grant programs, and I’m pleased that this funding will help ensure fire departments across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan have the proper equipment and staffing levels necessary to protect our communities.”

U.P. project awards:

• Stephenson: $761,904 to buy new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses for seven volunteer fire departments in Menominee and Delta counties. The release says the award will also help firefighters across from Cedarville Township, Daggett Township, Harris Township, Mellen Township, Nadeau Township and Bark River Township.
• Dafter Township: $490,780 from two grant programs to replace a tanker truck that has been decommissioned and to buy new fire hose and nozzles.
• Bay Mills Township: $95,238 from the AFG program to buy safety equipment.
• Lake Linden: $285,714 from the AFG program for vehicle acquisition.
• Manistique: $212,571 from the AFG program to invest in equipment.
• Drummond Island Township: $110,476 from the AFG program to invest in equipment.
• Sands Township: $26,695 from the AFG program to invest in equipment.
• Thompson Township: $6,305 from the AFG program to invest in equipment.

Slotkin says it is the goal of elected officials, on both sides of the political aisles, to ensure first responders have their needs met.

“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 $2.1 million in federal support for Upper Peninsula and Northern 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.”

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