City Receives Over $1.8 Million in Grant Funding from FEMA

Jan 08, 2013 No Comments by

Grant funds will restore the loss of a Fire Engine previously eliminated due to budget cuts.

Fire Truck

Downey, CA, January 8, 2013: The City of Downey has been awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) totaling over $1.8 Million in grant funding. The City will utilize the funding to assist in hiring back Firefighters to man Fire Engine 61, which was eliminated as part of budget cuts in fiscal year 2012-13.

“During my swearing-in last December, I stated that one of my goals as Mayor was to find a way to bring back our Fire Engine and I am proud that we will be able to accomplish this. Public safety is and will remain a high priority for our City and I want to extend my gratitude to Fire Chief Lonnie Croom and his staff for their hard work in securing this grant,” said Mayor Mario Guerra.

The City is expected to receive the grant award in the coming months and intends to have Fire Engine 61 fully operational by no later than July 1st of this year. The intent of the SAFER grant is to improve and restore local fire departments’ staffing and deployment capabilities so they may more effectively respond to emergencies. The SAFER grant will aid the City in continuing to provide the highest level of public safety service to the community.

“We are extremely pleased to have been successful in being a recipient of this FEMA grant and look forward to providing the quality of service that our community deserves,” said Fire Chief Croom.

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About the author

John Zander is the editor of the Downey Beat. Previously John wrote, produced and directed reality TV, as well as music videos and feature film. John has also made his living as a professional musician and a professional comedy magician. In September of 2012, John suffered a stroke and could no longer keep up with the fast pace and grind of the entertainment industry. Mario Guerra had purchased the Downey Beat, and kindly offered John the Editor position. John took over the Downey Beat in mid December of 2012, and it proved to be the perfect job for him. John has also worked as a professional photographer for the last three years. John has been happily married for 17 years and has one son, who he is immensely proud of.

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