The Sterling Heights Fire Department is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a federal grant totaling $2,621,292 over the next three years.
The grant funding was awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) competitive Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. A principle objective of the SAFER program is protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and firefighters from the hazards of fire incidents.
The SAFER Grant will assist Sterling Heights in the hiring of 15 new firefighter/paramedic positions. The proceeds of the SAFER Grant award will reimburse the City of Sterling Heights for the wages and benefits of the new firefighter/paramedics at a rate of 75 percent in years one and two of the grant and 35 percent in year three.
Sterling Heights City Council recently approved implementation of Advanced Life Support Transportation (ALS Transport) services by the Sterling Heights Fire Department. This new service provides continuity of patient care from initial contact through ALS Transport to area hospitals. Due to the skill and training received by all Fire Department paramedics, the City considers this move to be a service enhancement. The new firefighter/paramedics will play an integral role in the implementation of ALS Transport and will supplement the fire service in Sterling Heights overall.
The Sterling Heights Fire Department is among the highest rated in the State of Michigan by Insurance Services Organization (ISO), which rates all fire departments in the Country. Sterling Heights and Kalamazoo have the highest ISO rating of 2 on a 10 point scale. No department in the State has an ISO 1 rating.
“We’re extremely pleased the Sterling Heights Fire Department has been chosen as the recipient of such an incredible grant,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “The City continues to show its commitment to strong public safety. These 15 new firefighter/paramedics will only strengthen our current team of emergency responders. We appreciate the strong support from our Federal legislators who helped obtain the grant”
Upon hearing the news, Congressman Sander Levin and Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters all expressed their support for Sterling Heights Fire Department’s reciept of the SAFER Grant. Congressman Paul Mitchell also aided the City of Sterling Heights in obtaining the SAFER Grant.
“Each and every day, firefighters keep our community safe from harm. I’m very pleased the Sterling Heights fire department will receive this critical federal support in order to recruit and retain new firefighters,” Levin said.
"Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our families, homes, and communities," said Senator Stabenow. "These resources will help Sterling Heights Fire Department hire 15 new first responders to make sure there is always someone there to answer the call in an emergency."
“The Sterling Heights community depends on firefighters to keep their families, homes and businesses safe,” said Senator Peters. “This funding will help the Sterling Heights Fire Department serve their community more effectively and efficiently by increasing the number of firefighters and first responders on duty who can respond to emergencies on a moment’s notice.”
Fire Chief Chris Martin said SHFD is looking forward to utlizing the SAFER Grant funds to help provide ALS Transport service to Sterling Heights residents.
“The Fire Department staff has always been confident that the transition to providing ALS Transport would be a success, and this financial support is just an added bonus,” Martin said. “The Sterling Heights Fire Department is grateful for this grant and looks forward to growing our staff to meet the needs of our population.”
Media with questions can contact Fire Chief Chris Martin at (586) 446-2951 or cmartin@sterling-heights.net.