Montgomery Receives $3.01 Million DHS Firefighters Grant Mayor Commends Reps. Sewell, Roby | News

MONTGOMERY — Mayor Todd Strange announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded Montgomery Fire/Rescue a $3.01 million grant to increase the number of firefighters serving the capital city. Strange said U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell and Martha Roby notified his office of the award Feb. 6.

The DHS award is a 2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant which provides direct funding to fire departments to protect health and safety by expanding the number of available firefighters. Through Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, Montgomery will receive $3.01 million over two years, with the funds targeted for recruiting, hiring and retention of additional firefighters.

“This great news for our city is made possible only through the strong support and direct involvement of our leaders in Congress,” said Strange. “Reps. Terri Sewell and Martha Roby played a direct role, and this grant is a result of their working as partners in service to Montgomery.

“Rep. Sewell championed our cause to assure the exceptional level of fire services Montgomery needs and deserves. We are grateful for her commitment to the public’s safety and for her work on behalf of our city and state,” said the mayor.

“We also want to commend Rep. Roby for her assistance with this grant and for her continuing support and service to Montgomery. On behalf of all residents of our city, I thank both Rep. Sewell and Rep. Roby for helping build a safe, vibrant and growing Montgomery in its entirety that we all are proud to call ‘home,’” Strange said.

Montgomery currently employs 425 firefighters and fire medics who operate from 15 fire stations. Montgomery’s fire services have earned the city an ISO rating of “2,” the highest rating in the state among large cities. The SAFER grant could fund as many as 28 additional firefighters over two years. The grant is included in DHS’s 13th round of SAFER funding. This is Montgomery’s first SAFER grant award.

Information Source: City of Montgomery