Burlington Fire Department gets $1 million from Homeland Security

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today the Burlington Fire Department will receive a total of $1,002,174 to hire new firefighters.The funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program and will allow the department to hire six new firefighters. Loebsack is a longtime supporter of the SAFER program and wrote a letter to DHS in support of the Burlington Fire Department’s grant application.

“It is essential that our local fire departments have adequate staff to protect our homes, businesses and communities,” Loebsack said.“I congratulate the Burlington Fire Department on receiving this competitive grant. This funding helps make certain they have the proper staffing to continue to safely serve the people of Burlington.”

The SAFER program is designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards and improve the nation’s overall level of preparedness by supporting the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.