Congressman John D. Dingell

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) announced today that Ypsilanti Township has been awarded a Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Ypsilanti Township will receive $63,929 for Operations and Safety.

“One of the most important lessons we learned from both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina is that we cannot leave our first responders unprepared. Since then we have made great strides at ensuring resources are available to our first responders. While more can be done, grants like this provide vital support in the right direction,” Congressman Dingell said. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program is one program that properly prepares our first responders with the necessary resources to meet the many challenges they face. The selection of Ypsilanti Township for a third year in a row reflects well on the community and its leaders. This is something they should be proud of.”

Since 2001, the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program has awarded $2.4 billion in competitive grants to first-responder organizations to be used for response equipment and personal protective equipment, among other items. It is estimated that this year AFG will award $485 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations in the United States.

“This grant will allow us to purchase needed air compression equipment for breathing as well as protective gear. These tools are critical in our efforts to provide effective fire safety in Ypsilanti Township,” Lieutenant Victor Chevrette said.

Ypsilanti Township has received the AFG award in 2004 and 2005, purchasing 800 MHZ radios, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses and Thermal Cameras.