For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE 
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
 
36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185
Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

City of Westland Receives $2.3 Million SAFER Grant to Hire 13 New Firefighters
Westland, MI (October 8, 2019) -  The City of Westland Fire Department has been awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant (SAFER) through FEMA in the amount of $2,387,804.25. This grant will allow the hiring of 13 firefighters for a period of three years. The grant includes a city match funding portion of 25% ($322,676.32) in years one and two. The third year has a city match funding portion of 65% ($838,958.25).

This grant affords Westland an opportunity to hire 13 firefighters at an average cost of 38% over three years.

SAFER grants are awarded to communities to ensure compliance with National Fire Protection standards that relate to the staffing of fire stations, response times, and overall assembly of force to efficiently deliver service more effectively and safely. The grant assists fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and assure adequate protection from fire and other hazards.

"There is no doubt that the additional manpower awarded through the SAFER grant will play a vital role in increasing the efficiency of the fire department to continue to provide the excellent service Westland residents deserve," commented Westland Fire Chief, Michael Stradtner.  " It is our intention to begin hiring as soon as possible and take full advantage of this 'big win' for the City of Westland.

Only a small percentage of the thousands of departments who apply are awarded SAFER grants.  

"These grants are very competitive as communities across the county are faced with difficulties adequately staffing their public safety departments," commented Mayor Wild.  "Westland is fortunate for this opportunity to ensure the fire department can continue to deliver the service residents have to come to expect and deserve."

For more information, please call the Mayor's Office at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City.  Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas.  The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.


 

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities.  Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based.  They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.


 

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.


 

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more.  One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.


 

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.  Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

 

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region.  Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.


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