Mich. fire dept. awarded $2.4M to hire 15 firefighters

By FireRescue1 Staff

ROCHESTER, Mich. — A fire department was awarded a grant from FEMA to help hire more firefighters.

The Oakland Press reported that the Rochester Fire Department received a $2.4 million SAFER grant, which will help them hire an expected 15 firefighters and comply with the National Fire Protection Association’s staffing, response and operational standards.

Fire Chief John Cieslik thanked Congressman Mike Bishop for his help in securing the grant and said the department is “extremely thankful” for the assistance.

“The $2.4 million grant will be a game changer for Rochester, and the adding of 15 firefighters will provide our residents and local area with a safer place to live and work,” Cieslik said in a statement .

Bishop added that firefighters “deserve our full support for their dedication to keeping our communities safe.”

“Firefighters are often first on the scene, and they deserve our full support for their dedication to keeping our communities safe,” Bishop said. “This FEMA SAFER grant will go a long way in providing our first responders with the personnel support they need, and allow the Rochester Fire Department to go from one emergency responder on duty – to six emergency responders on duty, 24 hours per day.”