Today, Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) announced that Keizer Fire District will receive a federal grant in the amount of $208,540. The funding was made available to the fire district through the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program (SAFER).

“This funding will help the Keizer Fire District train our local firefighters in their mission to combat fire and save lives,” said Schrader. “The Keizer Fire District serves more than 34,000 residents and provides a variety of services to our local community; I am pleased that the district has been selected to receive this funding.”

“This Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant is vital to a Career Combination Fire District such as ours,” said Fire Chief Jeff Cowan. “It provides resources to recruit and retain volunteers and provide for safe and effective training, equipment, health and wellness, education and support for our valuable volunteer members.”

SAFER grants provide funding directly to fire departments to enhance local abilities to comply with staffing and response standards. The funding also assists in increasing the number of trained firefighters available to serve local communities.