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Pocan Announces Nearly $900,000 Grant for City of Beloit Firefighters

April 17, 2013

WASHINGTON—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today announced that the City of Beloit's Fire Department will receive a Department of Homeland Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency (SAFER) Grant in the amount of $884,565. The funding will be used to hire more first responders to serve the city. The City of Beloit Fire Department was forced to reduce staffing in 2012 by five firefighters due to decreased revenue and increased operational costs.

“During these tough budget times, SAFER grants ensure our local fire departments have the tools and staff they need to keep our communities safe,” said Pocan. “This funding will allow the Beloit Fire Department to better serve the community by hiring more first responders—the heroic men and women who risk their lives to protect our families.”

The SAFER Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained, front line firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Beloit Fire Chief Brad Liggett stated, “Our community will be better served and my firefighters will be able to operate safely and more efficiently by regaining this response capacity. We are very grateful for this grant award and it will have a direct impact on quality of life.”