DEARBORN – On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D- Dearborn) announced that the Dearborn Fire Department will be awarded a $773,637 vehicle acquisition grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

“It is critical that local firefighters and first responders have the equipment necessary to protect our communities safely and effectively,” Dingell said. “This grant will ensure Dearborn firefighters have the tools and training they need to stay safe on the job while protecting our communities. Their success in securing a third grant speaks to the quality of their application and the great work being done at the Dearborn Fire Department.”

Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph Murray expressed his gratitude, saying that this will only amplify the safety training and pay for better equipment for firefighters.

“It also allows us the opportunity to provide specialty classes and increased safety training, which is the only way we can keep doing our jobs,” he said. “This is the third grant we’ve received and we wouldn’t be able to keep the community, and our firefighters, as safe without this grant.”

The AFG program gives out grants to fire departments and EMS organizations that are not associated with a hospital to better their response abilities and to more efficiently protect the public and emergency response workers.