Quigley Announces Federal Grant to Aid Franklin Park Fire Department

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced the award of a $461,724 grant to the Franklin Park Fire Department, which will be used to hire additional firefighters and paramedics.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program, is intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

"Federal dollars that directly contribute to keeping us safe are dollars well spent," said Rep. Quigley. "One of the core roles of government is protecting its citizens, and grants like this directly support that mission. Congratulations to Franklin Park on this important grant to further ensure the safety of their residents."

"The SAFER grant was just what we needed. It will reduce overtime, it will increase employment and make the residents of Franklin Park safer. It's a great program, and Congress should continue to fund it," said Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen.

In a letter of support for the grant, Rep. Quigley highlighted Franklin Park Fire Department plans to hire personnel that will be trained paramedics, providing additional skill and manpower to the department and a better quality of service to the residents of Franklin Park.

The Franklin Park Fire Department serves a community of approximately 4.5 square miles, with a residential population of 18,500. The Village's fire department runs an average of 3,300 calls per year and provides the full range of services to the community, from fire suppression to advanced life support EMS and hazardous materials.

As the only Illinois member on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Quigley used his position to advocate for increased funding for SAFER grants, as well as increased funding for additional public safety personnel through Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grants within the FY14 Appropriations process. COPS hiring grants provide federal funds to allow cities to put more police officers on the streets and are vital to Chicago's efforts to fight the city's growing epidemic of gun violence.