SPECIAL TO REPORTER

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security&8217;s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness will release $414,000 to the Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service. This funding will be provided by the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

&8220;This funding will allow the Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service to recruit new firefighters as they work to reach 24-hour staffing for the station,&8221; said Senator Shelby.

&8220;First responders serve day in and day out on the front lines to protect our communities.

This grant will be instrumental to the Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service&8217;s efforts to ensure the safety of the citizens it protects.&8221;

These funds will help fire departments increase staffing and deployment capabilities and ultimately attain 24-hour staffing, thus assuring that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

The SAFER Program assists in hiring full time firefighters and supports recruitment and retention of volunteer fire fighters.