Firefighting Press Releases

10/28/2004

Smith Announces Grants for Area Fire Departments Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) today congratulated several fire departments in the 7th District for receiving federal grants as part of the Fiscal Year 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 8,000 awards worth nearly $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters throughout the country.

10/08/2004

Smith’s Fire Grant Program Helps Communities and Helps Our Security Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison), Chairman of the Science Subcommittee on Research, commended the new Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) passed Friday.

09/20/2004

Smith Announces Grant for National Fire Safety Council Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) today congratulated the National Fire Safety Council (NFSC) for receiving a $732,980 federal grant as part of the FY2003 Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. The Fire Prevention and Safety aspect of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program reserves the highest priority for projects focusing on the prevention of fire-related injuries to children. Many of these awards represent innovative solutions for the delivery of fire prevention activities throughout the United States.

09/09/2004

Smith Announces Grants for Area Fire Departments Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) today congratulated several fire departments in the 7th district for receiving federal grants as part of the Fiscal Year 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 8,000 awards worth nearly $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters throughout the country.

08/25/2004

Smith Announces Fire Grant Awards for Bellevue and Sheridan Township Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) today congratulated Lance Lohrke of the Sheridan Township Fire Department and Jon Kaufmann, Jr. of the Bellevue Community Fire Department for receiving a $49,767 and $16,263 federal grant, respectively, as part of the thirteenth round of the Fiscal Year 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grants will ultimately total approximately 8,000 awards worth nearly $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters throughout the country.

06/18/2004

“SAFER” Funding Included in House Homeland Security Bill An amendment to H.R. 4567, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for FY2005, providing $50 million for establishing a new federal grant program within the Department of Homeland Security to help fire departments address staffing shortfalls was passed during debate on the House floor last night.

05/07/2004

National Volunteer Fire Council Recognizes Rep. Nick Smith for Supporting Firefighters The National Volunteer Firefighters Council (NVFC) recognized Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) yesterday for his support and work on behalf of firefighters. NVFC Chairman Philip Stittleburg presented Smith an outstanding service award at NVFC’s annual meeting in Washington D.C. Smith was one of two Members of Congress to receive recognition. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pennsylvania) also received an award.

03/23/2004

Congressman Nick Smith Honored at Special Tribute On March 19th, national and state fire service leaders paid tribute to retiring Member of Congress Nick Smith in Jackson, MI at a special ceremony recognizing his contributions to our nation’s fire and emergency services. The featured speaker of the event was Congressman Curt Weldon, Founder of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, who has worked closely with Smith on many pieces of fire legislation during their years together in Congress. A total of nine state and national fire services organizations, including the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) presented Congressman Smith with awards to thank him for his tremendous support.

03/05/2004

Smith Announces Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Application Period Open Through April 2, 2004 Michigan fire departments have until 5:00 pm (EST) on April 2, 2004 to apply for federal grants to enhance training and acquire new equipment, U. S. Rep. Nick Smith said Thursday.

11/21/2003

Smith Fire Funding Bill Passes House Today Congress passed the Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2003, a bill sponsored by Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison). The bill authorizes funding to the United States Fire Administration that coordinates federal fire service training, public education, research, data collection and analysis activities, and directs the fire grant program. The Senate bill passed by the House now goes to the President for signature.

11/07/2003

Defense Authorization Bill Helps Firefighters Provisions to allow funding to localities to recruit more firefighters passed today as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

09/25/2003

Smith Announces Springfield Fire Grant Congressman Nick Smith announced today that the Springfield Fire Department has been awarded $16,552 in funding through the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. This program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel.

07/31/2003

Smith Announces Latest Recipients of 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Congressman Nick Smith announced today the latest recipients of the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. This program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel.

07/02/2003

Smith Announces Fire Grant for Camden Congressman Nick Smith (R-Addison) announced today that the Camden Fire Department has been awarded $35,199 in funding through the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. Over the past four weeks, almost 700 fire departments around the country have received more than $36 million dollars. In all, approximately 7,000 grants worth $750 million will be awarded between now and September 2004.

06/12/2003

Smith Announces Fire Grant for Raisin Township Congressman Nick Smith announced today that the Raisin Township Department of Public Safety has been awarded $35,606 in funding through the 2003 Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. This grant was one of 219 across the country to be awarded in the first wave of grants under this program. In all, approximately 7,000 grants worth $750 million will be awarded between now and September 2004.

02/12/2003

Smith Announces 2003 FEMA-USFA Fire Grant Applicant Workshops The U.S. Fire Administration will sponsor free workshops in Battle Creek and East Lansing for Michigan Fire Departments planning to apply for the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The workshops will serve to explain the grant program to fire service personnel and answer questions related to the application process, as well as provide general assistance on the writing of competitive narratives in the application.

01/13/2003

Smith Announces Additional Fire Grants for 7th Congressional District U.S. Representative Nick Smith (R-MI) today announced that for the second time in as many years, Battle Creek will receive significant funding through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The City will receive $669,970 in funding to complete its project to install smoke detectors in every dwelling unit in the City, including specially designed detectors for the hearing impaired. A recent change in the building code increased the number of detectors required in each dwelling. In addition, this year’s funding will allow the City to begin installing carbon monoxide detectors in all dwelling units, and institute a city-wide, unified street numbering system to help firefighters and first responders more easily identify addresses.

12/20/2002

Smith Announces Latest Fire Grants for 7th Congressional District U.S. Representative Nick Smith (R-MI) today announced that two additional 7th District fire departments will receive funding through FEMA’s 2002 Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant Program. Recipients include Liberty Township Fire Department ($40,185) and Jackson Fire Department ($68,850). Both departments will use the funding to enhance firefighter safety and survival through the purchase of a thermal imaging camera. In addition to the cameras, Jackson will purchase an oxygen tank refill station, radios for communication, and firefighter equipment for breathing and training should they get trapped in a fire. Liberty Township will also purchase a compressor and lightweight carbon fibered tanks.

12/12/2002

Smith Announces Latest Fire Grant for 7th Congressional District U.S. Representative Nick Smith (R-MI) today announced that the Homer Fire Department will receive a $58,000 grant through FEMA’s 2002 Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant Program. The department will use the funding to enhance firefighter safety and survival through the purchase of a thermal imaging camera and various pieces of physical fitness equipment.

11/22/2002

Smith Announces New Fire Grants for 7th Congressional District Sherwood Township, Bellevue Community, and Leoni Township Fire Departments Receive Grants for Operations and Safety

09/19/2002

Smith Announces More Fire Grants for Southern Michigan Hillsdale and Hanover Township Fire Departments to Receive Grants for Fire Prevention, Operations, and Safety

08/23/2002

Smith Announces Second 2002 Fire Grant for Calhoun County Springfield Department of Public Safety to Receive $40,000 Grant for Operations and Safety

07/19/2002

Marshall to Receive Fire Grant U.S. Representative Nick Smith (R-MI) today announced the Marshall City Fire Department, Marshall, MI has received a $6,930 grant through the U.S. Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Program. The award bolsters the department’s ongoing professional training program and provides for enhanced service to the community by allowing the department to send all of its firefighters to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Fire Prevention School.

07/11/2002

Deerfield Township to Receive Fire Grant U.S. Representative Nick Smith (R-MI) today announced the fire grant award of $33,143 to the Deerfield Township, MI fire department. The award will help the department in daily operations and firefighter safety.

07/10/2002

Smith Fire Grant Program Incorporated Into Homeland Security Bill Amendment language authored by U.S. Representative Nick Smith (R-MI) concerning the fate of a popular grant program for firefighters was incorporated into the House Science Committee's version of the bill to create a Department of Homeland Security within the Federal government. The language aims to protect the fate of the United States Fire Administration's Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program during the shuffle of government agencies and programs that will result in the new cabinet-level department.

05/07/2002

House Science Committee Reviews Fire, Emergency Response Issues The House Science Subcommittee on Research held a field hearing yesterday in Lansing to examine challenges facing firefighters and first responders.

05/03/2002

Smith to Receive Award for Support of First Responders On Monday, May 6th, U.S. Representative Nick Smith (MI-07) will be presented with an award of recognition from the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) for his efforts in supporting the fire service community. The award presentation will be held at the Delta Township Community Hall, 7710 West Saginaw Highway in Lansing from 12:00-12:30. Bill Webb, CFSI Executive Director, will present the award to Representative Smith.

10/31/2001

Smith Proposes $1 Billion in Funding for Firefighters U.S. Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison), chairman of the Science Committee’s Research Subcommittee and a member of the House Fire Caucus, today announced his amendment to the Defense Authorization Act that would provide $1 billion in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

10/05/2001

Lansing Township Fire Department Receives FEMA Grant The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today five Michigan fire departments would receive grants in the eleventh and final round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program including $46,311 for Lansing Township for wellness and fitness programs.

04/09/2001

Smith Hosts Fire Services Town Hall Meeting Representative Nick Smith (R-Addison) today hosted a meeting in Jackson with representatives from fire departments across the area to discuss support for the fire services and to provide information about a new federal fire grant program.

11/14/2000

Smith Legislation Signed Into Law by President The President yesterday signed into law legislation (H.R. 1550) introduced by House Basic Research Subcommittee Chairman Nick Smith (R-Addison) which authorizes funding for the National Earthquakes Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

10/27/2000

House Passes Smith Legislation to Increase Safety Funds "This legislation demonstrates our commitment to the 1.2 million men and women of our fire services -- 80 percent of whom are volunteers -- and our obligation to help protect the 75 million Americans at risk from earthquakes."

10/11/2000

House Approves Major Funding Initiative for Local Firefighters U.S. Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) called today's passage of several fire-related measures a milestone victory for local firefighters.

04/12/2000

Smith Stands Up for Nation's Firefighters U.S. Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) today testified before the House Transportation Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Emergency Management, to promote H.R. 4146, the Helping Emergency Responders Operate Act, a bill Smith introduced recently to provide needed assistance to our Nation's first-responders.

10/03/1999

Smith the Featured Speaker at National Tribute to Firefighters Rep. Nick Smith (R-Addison) addressed over 3,000 people Sunday morning in Emmitsburg, MD at the annual tribute to firefighters who died in the past year in the line of duty.