U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $312,000.00 in funding for the Eastgate Volunteer Fire Department to recruit more firefighters.
“At a time when you literally can’t escape the smoke in Montana, we are reminded of the importance of the brave folks willing to step up and serve their communities,” Daines stated. “I’m thrilled to be announcing more resources dedicated to keeping our communities safe from the threat of fire.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program is designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards, and improve the nation’s overall level of preparedness. Daines has been a vocal proponent of the program and has voted to reauthorize it in the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
On February 9, 2017, KTVH reported that the Eastgate Volunteer Fire Department was struggling to find volunteers.
The SAFER program is comprised of two portions or activities: the Hiring of Firefighters Activity and the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity. The Hiring of Firefighters Activity awards grants directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help increase the number of firefighters.
The Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters Activity awards grants to help create a more favorable working environment for volunteer firefighters by increasing the number of trained, certified and competent firefighters capable of responding to emergencies.
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