U. S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur helps Parma, Ohio Fire Department secure million dollar federal grant to hire more firefighters, enhance city services, Parma the second largest city in Cuyahoga County behind Cleveland

Washington, D.C. - Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), City of Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and Parma Fire Chief Mike Lask announced yesterday that the Parma Fire Department will be awarded $1,051,073.80 from the federal government.

Parma is a largely White middle class Cleveland suburb and the second largest city in Cuyahoga County, behind Cleveland.

The city has a population of some 80,000 people and is part of Kaptur's congressional district.

The funding was awarded through a competitive grant application through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response(SAFER) grant program.

"It is my privilege to announce the Parma Fire Department has been awarded more than a million dollars to invest in the hiring of eight new firefighters," said Rep. Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat whose ninth congressional district extends to Cleveland. "Whether it is a fire, a flood or a car accident, we depend on first responders such as those at the Parma Fire Department to keep us safe."

The congresswoman said she is pleased to have worked with Parma officials to ensure the city received the financial support it needed to hire professional first responders.

The mayor said the federal monies are solely needed.

"We need a fully staffed fire department to keep pace with the safety demands of a city our size," said Mayor Tim DeGeeter. "This grant provides us with critical funding to help us replace eight firefighters who retired or transferred to other departments.

DeGetter said the financial support will reduce overtime and allow us to continue to provide the quality service our residents have come to expect and deserve.

"I want to thank Congresswoman Kaptur for her efforts, and I appreciate the additional Congressional support we received from those representing Parma, " the mayor said.

Fire Chief Michael Lasky was also elated.

"The Parma Fire Department is extremely pleased, not only for the operational impact this funding will have on our department, but the overall impact it will have on the entire City of Parma," said Lasky. "Our goal is to provide outstanding safety services to our community, and SAFER funding will allow us to do that effectively and efficiently for the foreseeable future."

The SAFER grant program was established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help increase the number of trained firefighters available in their communities.
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