For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Wayne-Westland Fire Awarded $56,250 Grant for Thermal Imaging Cameras

Westland, MI - The Wayne-Westland Fire Association (WWFA) has received a $56,250 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA to purchase five thermal imaging cameras.

Each of the front-line WWFA fire trucks will be equipped with one of these cameras, which will boost public safety and be a critical asset for the WWFA in protecting and serving the community.

The cameras use infrared technology to help firefighters locate victims, pinpoint fire, and recognize structural dangers.

"Public safety is priority number one," said Mayor Bill Wild, "And this new technology will greatly increase our firefighters' ability to serve and protect residents."

This is not the first piece of new technology this year that will provide better public safety to the Westland community. With the launch of the newly redesigned City website in April of this year, a crime-mapping tool was added to the police department's page on www.CityOfWestland.com. The tool keeps citizens informed on what is going on in their own neighborhoods, and allows residents to receive crime-alerts and other reports based on location.

For more information on the grant, contact WWFA Deputy Chief Patrick Harder

at [email protected] or (734) 560-4385.

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The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".