Times-Standard - Thompson announces Arcata Fire Protection grant

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced Thursday that the Arcata Fire Protection District will receive $483,236 in grant funding to help recruit new volunteer firefighters in the Arcata, McKinleyville, Bayside, Manila and Jacoby Creek communities.

The funds, which are provided through the Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, will preserve public safety and create good-paying jobs.

”During these tough economic times, one of the things we can't afford to cut is funding for our firefighters and first responders,” said Thompson in a press release. “This grant will help ensure local fire departments have the personnel they need to keep our community safe. We can't choose when the next fire or natural disaster will strike, but we can take steps to make sure our fire departments are as prepared as possible.”

Arcata Fire Chief John McFarland said the SAFER grant “will allow us to support and enhance the volunteer firefighters who protect our community by providing them with disability insurance, educational assistance and a modest pay-by-call system to lessen the impact that volunteering has on their families.”