Kildee Helps Secure DHS Firefighter Grant Award for Flint Fire Department

WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded $21,700 to the City of Flint Fire Department for the purchase and installation of smoke detectors in low- to moderate-income housing, specifically targeting rental properties in the City of Flint.  The Homeland Security Department’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration awarded these funds to the Flint Fire Department under the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for fire prevention efforts.

“We must continue to provide more funding to ensure the safety and preparedness of our community when it comes to fire prevention,” said Kildee.  “These funds will help equip hundreds of families with smoke detectors in their homes to stop potentially devastating fires from ever taking place.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awards Assistance to Firefighters Grants to fire departments and other regional, State, local, or community organizations that are recognized for their experience and expertise in fire prevention or safety programs and activities.  The competitive grant was awarded to the Flint Fire Department after a national peer review process was conducted involving over 300 fire service leaders who evaluated and scored each application.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed as an opportunity for the U.S. Congress to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance basic fire service delivery across the country.  These funds increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs in local departments.