Argentine Township gets $15,000 for fire safety, free smoke alarm installations

ARGENTINE TWP., MI – Argentine Township is receiving a $15,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that will go toward promoting fire safety and offering free smoke alarm installation to residents.

The grant was announced Wednesday, Sept. 14, by Michigan U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow. The funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

“Firefighters are on the frontlines when emergencies strike,” said Peters, who also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “This federal support will enable the Argentine Township Fire Department to offer free smoke alarm installations as well as critical fire safety resources to residents, and effectively protect the communities they serve.”

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” added Stabenow in a statement. “These new programs will help keep the public safe and give our first responders what they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”

According to FEMA, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants aim to meet the needs for fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations when it comes to firefighting and emergency response.

Since 2001, the grants have helped firefighters and other first responders obtain the necessary equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources.

The grants are awarded to fire departments, state fire training academies and emergency medical service organizations.