WASHINGTON, Mich. -- Twenty four Michigan fire departments and EMS organizations have been awarded $1,716,518 through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The funding will allow for training and the purchasing of safety equipment necessary to the well-being of firefighters who keep Michigan communities safe.

“Communities throughout Michigan rely on first responders to keep them safe when emergencies arise,” said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich, in a news release about the funding. “Ensuring that our firefighters are equipped to handle situations they may encounter while staying as safe as possible is crucial for their protection and the public’s well-being as a whole.”

Fellow U.S. senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., said,“Communities throughout Michigan depend on the protection our firefighters provide, and this funding will help them prepare for the dangers they face on a daily basis.”

The grants are awarded competitively through an application process.

To see a list of which Michigan organizations were awarded grants, visit www.FireGrantSupport.com.