More Jobs, Safer City

Yesterday, I joined Sacramento Fire Department Chief Ray Jones and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Chief William Sponable to announce that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded their fire departments $11 million in competitive grants to hire additional area firefighters.

Congresswoman Matsui hosts a press conference to announce the $11 million Federal grant for Sacramento City and Metro Fire Departments.

Through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, the Sacramento Fire Department was awarded $5,606,864 to hire 27 firefighters and restore two fire companies. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District was awarded $5,470,824 to hire 24 firefighters.

These funds come at a time when the City Fire Department and Metro Fire District are facing severe budget cuts, closing stations, and leaving neighborhoods vulnerable as a result. This grant will help improve our public safety, and our local economy.

I look forward to seeing the positive effects these federal funds have on our community, and I will continue working every day to see that Sacramento has the federal support it needs to remain a wonderful place to live and work.