WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that $5,184,280 has been awarded to two fire departments in Ohio by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds, awarded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program (SAFER), will be used to recruit, hire, and rehire firefighters in Summit and Trumbull Counties.
"Firefighters are often the first responders to emergency calls and Ohio depends on these brave men and women to keep our families safe," Brown said. "These funds will provide the resources necessary to attract and retain frontline firefighters and provide Ohio communities with adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards."
Brown wrote a letter of support of the Warren Fire Department which loss 30 percent of its workforce due to economic challenges. The Twinsburg Fire Department and Warren Fire Department were awarded $185,193 and $4,999,087 respectively.
SAFER grants bolster fire departments' ability to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, along with their overall level of preparedness. These round 18 funds can be used for recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and hiring firefighters. The funds provide for salaries, benefits, and general equipment needs.
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