President Biden announces grant to allow 3 Philadelphia fire companies to reopen
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia was awarded $22.4 million from FEMA on Monday to hire 72 new firefighters and reopen three fire companies, President Joe Biden announced at Ladder 1 in the city's Fairmount neighborhood.
Ladder 1 originally closed its doors nearly 15 years ago during the recession. But now, the federal funding will allow Ladder 1, Ladder 11 in South Philadelphia and Engine 6 in Fishtown to reopen.
Philadelphia Fire Department said part of the grant funding will go to hire, train and pay 72 firefighters and EMTs for three years. The city will then pick up the costs after the money runs out.
The funding comes from the Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. FEMA said the money will allow the city to meet industry minimum standards and operate 24-hour staffing.
"As firefighters, we don't get to decide how we're staffed, how we're trained, or how we're equipped. That's up to the politicians that all of us elect," said Edward Kelly, who is the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
"Firefighters are the first to be called and the last to leave when nearly any emergency arises," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a news release. Mayorkas added the SAFER grant will allow Philadelphia to hire more and retain existing firefighters.
"The only thing that protects firefighters is more firefighters. Good equipment, obviously, but more firefighters," Biden said.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said reopening the companies will increase the fire department's overall capacity to provide dedicated service across the city.
Biden said during the Monday press conference that his administration encouraged the fire department to apply for the grant following the Fairmount fire.
This January will mark two years since the tragedy on North 23rd Street took the lives of 12 people, including nine children.
Biden said Ladder 1 would have been the closest ladder to the fire, if it was still in service at the time.
Philadelphia Fire said at this time, there are no reopening dates on the calendar for Engine 6 and Ladder 11.
The president also attended a campaign reception in the city Monday, the White House said.
Biden has made multiple stops in Philadelphia in 2023, with Monday's being his ninth. He was last in Philadelphia in October to promote the creation of clean hydrogen hubs to fight climate change.
The SAFER program has awarded about $5.2 billion to help cities hire, and rehire, firefighters -- there have been 177 awards for $360 million, FEMA said.