Upton Announces $49,000 for Niles Fire Department
Department of Homeland Security funding will equip local HAZMAT team

For Immediate Release July 29, 2003

Contact: Sean Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Washington, DC- Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today announced that the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Fire Administration has awarded the Niles Fire Department $49,223 under the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. This grant program is in support of America's firefighters as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve.

"It is essential that our local firefighters receive the necessary funding," said Upton. "Our local firefighters are so vital to the public safety needs of our communities. The residents of the Niles community are safer with the HAZMAT team in place, and this grant ensures Niles will continue operating a first class fire department."

The Assistance for Firefighters Grant program helps our nation's firefighters, both volunteer and professional, do their jobs by providing funds that can be used for training programs and for the purchase of firefighting equipment.

"I'm pleased to announce 450 fire departments will receive their much needed funding this week," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "President Bush and Congress recognize the impact these grants make in our first responders' ability to continue saving lives and property."

Upton supported the Niles grant application to acquire additional hazardous material response equipment. The City of Niles Fire and Police, and the Niles Township Fire Departments have teamed up to develop a Hazardous Materials response unit. Each jurisdiction paid over $1,000 a student to train all 20 members of the team to the HAZMAT Technician Level. The group raised close to $30,000 from the community to purchase a trailer and specialized equipment to establish the team. A 24 foot fire engine red trailer was modified to include a research area. The $49,223 will supply the Niles Fire Department with a specialized self-contained breathing apparatus, a large decontamination tent, and communications equipment.

"We are grateful for Congressman Fred Upton's strong support of the Niles Fire Department," said Niles Fire Chief Larry Lamb. "This grant will help us to quickly mobilize in the event of a chemical accident. Our men and women are trained and ready to respond, and this grant will further our efforts in protecting the community."

This HAZMAT team is especially important with the greater Niles area being home to several large industrial facilities that use or produce hazardous materials daily. While the Berrien County Sheriff's Department provides response from their headquarters in St. Joseph, that is many miles away and precious time can be lost in combating such a crisis. The goal of the Niles Fire Department is to bridge the gap by providing a well-trained and equipped hazardous materials response force capable of mitigating smaller chemical incidents while the county team is in route to the scene.

Upton is a member of the Fire Services Caucus is a long-time advocate of the Firefighters Grant Program.