The Traverse City Fire Department, Long Lake Township Fire-Rescue, Almira Township Fire and EMS, Paradise Emergency Services, and Whitewater Township Fire Department will receive more than a half million dollars in federal funding to purchase new equipment.

The five fire departments will receive $598,181 for self-containing breathing apparatuses and air supply equipment to provide assistance for communities across Grand Traverse County. The funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. Gases present in structure fires can injure or kill firefighters; the new SCBA packs will increase the health and safety of firefighters by providing the highest level of respiratory protection available. The equipment will be utilized during firefighter operations, including manmade and natural disasters, in the communities and any other community that requests mutual aid.

“Our firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow in a co-announcement with U.S. Senator Gary Peters about the funding. “These new resources will help keep the public safe and give our first responders the equipment they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.” Peters added that “it is critical that firefighters and first responders have up-to-date equipment to continue doing their jobs safely and effectively. These grants will ensure that fire departments and emergency responders in northern Michigan have the resources necessary to protect everyone in their communities.”

Long Lake Township Fire-Rescue Fire Chief Andrew Down said the grant will go "a long way towards keeping area firefighters safe. We’re very excited to have received this grant, and we thank Senators Peters and Stabenow for their support.”