CHICAGO – This week, FEMA awarded more than $56.5 million in grant funding to fire departments, first responder organizations, and other institutions focused on firefighter safety and fire prevention in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. These awards will enable agencies to get the equipment, staff, and support they need to carry out their critical, life-saving missions. This week’s fire grant funding brings the total amount awarded to FEMA Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, this year to nearly $125 million. Nationwide, FEMA was awarded $648 million through its three fire grant programs.
“Firefighters and other first responders are everyday heroes, helping their neighbors and communities when they need it most,” said FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton. “Through this grant funding, FEMA is building the capability of these local organizations to respond to disasters and emergencies. By empowering fire departments to get the staff, training, and equipment they need, FEMA is strengthening the resilience of American communities nationwide.”
FEMA is administering these funds through its three fire grant programs: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program, and the Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. Examples of awards issued this week include:
- More than $6.2 million to the City of Gary in Gary, Indiana to hire firefighters.
- More than $5.1 million to the City of St. Paul in Saint Paul, Minnesota to hire firefighters.
- Nearly $5.1 million to the City of Akron in Akron, Ohio to hire firefighters.
- More than $3.2 million to the City of Rochester Hills in Rochester Hills, Michigan to hire firefighters.
- $1.5 million to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. in Evanston, Illinois for research and development.
- More than $100,000 to the City of Litchfield in Litchfield, Illinois, through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants for operations and safety.
For information on all the awards issued this year, visit the fire grant program webpages on FEMA.gov: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program, and the Fire Prevention and Safety grant program.
