House Extends Firefighters Grant Program

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to continue a program that has helped dozens of fire departments in Northeast Minnesota get the latest equipment and training. At a time when many towns and cities are facing budget shortfalls and cuts to basic services, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act will invest $2.2 billion a year to help local communities prepare for emergencies.

Under the program, the State of Minnesota received $13 million in 2008; 62 grants totaling $4.3 million were made to fire departments in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. Northeast Minnesota fire departments used those funds to purchase six new emergency vehicles and fund 66 individual operational and safety initiatives.

"Many of these grants went to volunteer fire departments," said Oberstar. "The pleasure, the pride and joy these volunteer firefighters have in getting this small bit of assistance is overwhelming to me. These first responders are our first line of defense against any emergency, and they deserve to have the tools and training they need to do their jobs."

The legislation contains reforms to simplify the grant application process, making it easier for small fire departments with limited resources to apply for the funding. Oberstar pushed for changes when he learned that the Department of Homeland Security, the agency that administers the program, was requiring departments to demonstrate how they would use the finding to combat terrorism.

"Small fire departments where having to hire grant application writers to fill out complex forms; that's absurd," said Oberstar. "We've changed that in this legislation and taken away the need to show a connection to terrorism, our terror in Northeast Minnesota is fire."

The bill will now be referred to the U.S. Senate, where it is expected to pass with bipartisan support.

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