Tester Delivers More Than $150,000 for Missoula Firefighters

Assistance to Firefighters Grant will help improve safety, effectiveness of local fire departments

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today delivered more than $150,000 for the Missoula Fire Department to improve its operations and help keep firefighters safe.

Tester secured the $158,877 through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. As the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Tester led the charge to increase funding for this critical program.

“Firefighters run into danger every day, and it’s up to us to make sure they have everything they need to do so safely,” Tester said. “This funding will help make sure Missoula’s firefighters have the equipment and resources they need to do their jobs effectively and allow them to better serve their community.”

The AFG program helps local fire departments meet firefighting and emergency response needs by helping departments purchase critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel.

Tester recently secured $100 million in AFG funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help fire departments purchase personal protective equipment and other supplies necessary to address COVID-19.