The City of Gary received news this week that the Gary Fire Department will be a recipient of a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that will allow the department to upgrade its emergency response equipment.
Gary will be awarded $758,044 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.) The AFG program is a coordinated effort to help ensure emergency personnel and first responders in the nation’s communities have the much needed emergency response and personal safety equipment, vehicles and training.
Fire Chief Paul Bradley says, “The Gary Fire Department is honored and elated to be awarded this federal grant. The funds received from the grant will be used to purchase much needed safety equipment that will enable us to work safely and effectively at the highest standard possible. The new equipment will help us serve our city and our community more efficiently. The Department is also thankful to all those who assisted us in this endeavor.”
Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says, “This is great news. The Gary Fire Department provides an extremely valuable public safety service to our community and to the citizens of Gary. We applaud the staff and their dedication to serve. We have been working diligently to improve and to enhance safety needs for both our Fire and Police Departments. This grant will assist us tremendously in addressing safety concerns.”
The Mayor thanked U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky for his continued support of the city of Gary, the team who worked tirelessly to make the grant possible and President Obama’s Administration for the vision.
