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U.P. communities to receive federal fire department funding

MARQUETTE -- A handful of Upper Peninsula fire departments, including one in Marquette County, are in line to receive more than $2.1 million in federal support. 

The funding comes from the Federal emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant programs, according to a written statement from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin.

"In 2024, (Sen.) Peters led the charge to extend these federal grant programs that help local fire departments address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs and improve emergency medical services," reads the statement. 

"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,"

Peters said separately. "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."

Added Slotkin: “As elected officials, it is our responsibility to ensure that Michigan's firefighters and front-line responders are protected. I join my colleague, Sen. Gary Peters, in welcoming the more than $2.1 million in federal support for Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan firefighters. 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."

The U.P. communities which will be receiving funding are as follows: 

• Dafter Township: Dafter Township will receive a total of $490,780 for two separate grant awards. The funding will be used to replace a tanker truck that has been decommissioned after exceeding its service life and purchase new fire hose and nozzles. Senator Peters wrote a letter of support advocating for this funding.

• Bay Mills Township: Bay Mills Township will receive $95,238 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety.

Village of Lake Linden: Lake Linden will receive $285,714 from the AFG program for vehicle acquisition.

• City of Manistique: Manistique will receive $212,571 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety.

• Drummond Island Township: Drummond Island Township will receive $110,476 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety.

• Sands Township: Sands Township will receive $26,695 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety.

• Thompson Township: Thompson Township will receive $6,305 from the AFG program to invest in equipment needed to strengthen operational safety.

"These two grant awards are a major step forward for Dafter Township," said Austin Conway, Fire Chief of the Dafter Township Fire Department. "Our only tanker is a 40-year-old converted military truck, and with no fire hydrants anywhere in the township, we depend on that tanker to bring water to every fire we respond to. A new, reliable tanker means we can deliver water safely and dependably, both for our own residents and for the neighboring communities we support through mutual aid. 

"The second award will replace fire hose and nozzles that are out of service or outdated, which is a significant safety improvement for our firefighters. We’re grateful to Sen. Peters for his advocacy on behalf of our grant and for his continued support of rural fire departments across the Upper Peninsula."

Peters' Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorized robust funding for the SAFER and AFG programs, as well as the United States Fire Administration, until 2028. It reauthorized $95 million for USFA, a nearly $20 million increase from previously authorized levels. 

Fire departments use these federal programs to recruit and retain additional personnel, as well as buy up-to-date vehicles and equipment such as breathing air compressors, hoses, nozzles and more. Funding from these programs can also be used to fund safety training and technical rescue training, as well as health screenings for firefighters. 

Peters is co-chair and Slotkin is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, which works to advance initiatives which support first responders.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.