PHOTOS: Following Senate Passage of Peters’ Bipartisan Bill to Extend Federal Support for Local Fire Departments, Senator Joins Firefighters & Local Officials in Long Lake Township
LONG LAKE TOWNSHIP, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, visited Long Lake Township Fire-Rescue today to call on the House of Representatives to pass his bipartisan legislation that would extend federal grant programs that provide critical resources to Michigan fire stations. The Fire Grants and Safety Act, which the Senate overwhelmingly passed yesterday, would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). These programs are set to expire and have helped local fire departments across Northern Michigan address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.
During the visit, Peters toured the station and met with firefighters and first responders from the Long Lake Township Fire-Rescue as well as other local fire departments who received federal funding from the AFG program. Peters also participated in a fire safety demonstration using the equipment purchased by the fire departments, which help ensure firefighters can access safe breathing air while responding to a fire emergency. Peters was joined by Long Lake Township Fire Chief Andrew Down, Traverse City Fire Chief Jim Tuller, and other fire chiefs and elected officials from across the Grand Traverse Region.
“Whether it’s rescuing people from car accidents or protecting homes and businesses from fires – heroic firefighters put their lives on the line for us each and every day,” said Senator Peters. “I’m calling on the House to quickly send my bill to the President’s desk to ensure that first responders and fire departments across Northern Michigan have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
“Senator Peters’ Fire Grants and Safety Act will help make sure that smaller stations like ours have the resources and equipment needed to save lives and protect firefighters,” said Long Lake Township Fire Chief Andrew Down. “I’m thankful to Senator Peters for leading this important bill through the Senate and urge the House to act as quickly as possible so that firefighters and other first responders can continue to rely on federal support for years to come.”
“Traverse City and surrounding communities count on federal programs to ensure our firefighters can to do their jobs effectively, and today, we were able to see how equipment purchased using federal grants keeps firefighters safe,” said Traverse City Fire Chief Jim Tuller. “I’m grateful to Senator Peters for leading the Fire Grants and Safety Act through the Senate and I urge the House to pass it as soon as possible so we can support local fire departments here in Michigan and across the nation.”
In 2021, the Long Lake Township Fire-Rescue, Traverse City Fire Department, Almira Township Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Paradise Emergency Services, and Whitewater Township Fire Department received $598,181 from the AFG program to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and critical air supply equipment to protect first responders serving communities throughout the Grand Traverse region. In 2021, Michigan fire departments at-large received more than $10.8 million from the AFG program, and more than $8 million from the SAFER grant program.
Peters also discussed a bipartisan law he wrote to help protect the health and safety of firefighters and emergency responders from PFAS exposure. The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act directs federal agencies to develop best practices, training, and educational programs to reduce, limit and prevent exposure to PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not naturally break down.
To download high-resolution photos from the visit, click here or on the images below. Images are courtesy of Senator Peters’ office.
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