DEARBORN – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell announced Thursday that the Dearborn Fire Department will receive a $69,753 Fire Prevention & Safety grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The funding will be used to help provide and install smoke detectors for all Dearborn residents.

“Our firefighters and first responders report to duty every day to keep our community safe,” said Dingell. “This funding will help provide the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter and protect our friends and families through prevention.”

“There was a great reduction in fire last year, but it’s still easy to get distracted and that’s dangerous,” said Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly. “This grant will help ensure we create opportunities to save lives in the community.”

Fire Chief Joseph Murray said smoke detectors can save lives.

“The importance of smoke detectors cannot be underestimated,” said Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph Murray. “Every year there are fatalities linked to not having functioning detectors. We want every home to be provided prevention.”

The AFG program awards grants directly to fire departments and EMS organizations that are unaffiliated with a hospital to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel with respect to fire and other emergencies.

Since 2001, the AFG program has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critical emergency response equipment, protective gear, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.