On the recordApril 20, 2023
in just a few moments, each of our colleagues will have the opportunity to cast their vote for a bipartisan bill that provides essential Federal resources to fire departments all across our country. The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes two vital grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provide funds to help fire departments purchase safety equipment, address staffing needs, fund fire training and education programs, and provide cancer screenings to firefighters. The legislation also reauthorizes the U.S. Fire Administration, which works to support fire and emergency medical services as they help safeguard our communities. Federal grants enable many firefighters, especially those in smaller and rural communities, to invest in the vehicles, equipment, or training they need to do their job safely and effectively. I have had the opportunity to visit several fire stations across Michigan to see firsthand how they use these vital grant programs to purchase extraction tools like the Jaws of Life and up-to-date breathing equipment to keep firefighters safe on the job. Without these programs, many fire departments would simply not have the resources to afford the equipment and tools they need to protect their communities. Now the Senate will be able to show these heroes that we have their backs by voting to pass this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.…





