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Thompson Announces SAFER $3.3 Million Grant for Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority

October 2, 2019

Funding to assist with staffing increases for region

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority (SVFRA) Chief Stephen Akre announced a $3,382,458 Federal grant has been awarded to SVFRA through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's SAFER program. The grant will fund 12 Firefighter/Paramedic positions, allowing the authority to increase staffing levels on 4 engine companies and provide heightened services to the City of Sonoma, Glen Ellen, and Valley of the Moon.

"Pleased to announce more than $3.3 million in grant funding for our local Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority to increase staffing and better serve our valley communities," said Thompson. "Each and every day, our first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe and it's critical we work to support their efforts by helping them access training and resources to hire more firefighters and paramedics. Proud of Chief Akre and his entire team for receiving this important grant to help our entire community."

"The Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority is extremely excited to receive this award, as this will allow our department to provide an increased level of service to all of the communities we serve," said Chief Akre. "This award will bring our staffing level to three Firefighter/Paramedics on each engine. This increased staffing is closer to national standards and will enable us to provide more effective and safer service. We are very thankful to Congressman Thompson and his support of our grant request and to FEMA and DHS for their support of these critically important service improvements."

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means where he chairs the Subcommittee on Tax Policy. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition.