LANSING, Mich. — Federal funding is coming to several West Michigan fire departments.
Over $700,000 in federal funding was granted to five departments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs.
- Local: Oshtemo Township considers extending moratoriums on energy projects, data centers
Projects awarded funding include:
- Marengo Township – $254,526 to buy fire hoses and hose appliance systems
- Ross Augusta Fire Department – $209,523 to purchase 22 self-contained breathing apparatus units
- Muskegon Charter Township – $149,545 for a new brush truck
- City of Norton Shores – $97,236 to replace vehicle exhaust removal systems, improving air quality and reducing firefighters’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust emissions
- City of Hudsonville – $16,893 to purchase Personal Protection Equipment for new cadets
The SAFER and AFG grant programs receive robust funding from the Fire Grants and Safety Act, led by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI).
Eligible fire departments can use these federal funds to recruit and retain personnel, and buy up-to-date equipment, according to a release from Sen. Peters’ office.
- Environment: WMU trustees to consider transfer of Asylum Lake Preserve stewardship to Kalamazoo County
The programs also fund safety and technical rescue training, along with firefighters’ health screenings…