Kaptur Commends Special $45,291 Federal Award to Berea Fire Department

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today announced that the Berea Fire Department has secured $45,291 in a competitive grant award under the Operations and Safety category. The competitive grant was awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, in coordination with the US Fire Administration. The award supports projects that include professional training, wellness and fitness programs equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities and supplies that support firefighting and non-affiliated EMS operations and safety.

“Given the level of competition for such a FEMA grant, we congratulate the City of Berea’s Fire Department on this important federal award,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “Many fire departments throughout the Country apply for these funds, and the Berea Fire Department has made a convincing case that it is wise to invest in the training and equipment that will assist their fire personnel so they can continue the high-level of protection the residents of Berea deserve.”

"Berea is a somewhat older, inner- circle, land- restricted, suburban community with an ever-enlarging senior citizen population,” said Berea Fire Chief Mark A. Kaufhold. “Mayor Kleem, his Administration and Berea City Council continue to meet the challenges of instilling community improvements while still providing all the expected city services to Berea’s citizens. Captain Eisenhardt, a 24 year Berea Fire Veteran and life-long Berea resident, has worked many hours in an effort to acquire available federal funds to assist Berea in meeting its constant emergency response challenges, and we appreciate Congresswoman Kaptur’s continued support for her constituents. Along with creative City Administration programs and initiatives to make Berea an always- improving community, these federal dollars will definitely be put to good use in assisting Berea Fire to provide the continued emergency services that Berea residents have come to expect, while operating in a continued safe manner."

Competition for the ‘Assistance to Firefighter Grants’ under the category of operations and safety is fierce, involving many thousands of fire departments nationally, and the grants are commonly awarded in amounts below $100,000.
FEMA is an agency within the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Kaptur is a senior member the House Appropriations Committee, and serves on the subcommittee that funds and has oversight responsibilities for the Department of Homeland Security.

For more information:

Background on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program

Berea Fire Department: https://cityofberea.org/en-us/fire.aspx


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