Senator Amy Klobuchar discusses new legislation at Duluth Fire Department

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar held a press conference at the Duluth Fire Department Thursday afternoon to push for the of passing the Fire Grants and Safety Act. This legislation would reauthorize the Assistance for Firefighters Grant program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program – two critical programs that Minnesota fire departments rely on to hire new firefighters, update equipment, and more. Without the Fire Grants and Safety Act, these programs are set to expire this year. Since 2015, fire departments across Minnesota have received over $50 million in Assistance to Firefighter Grants and over $31 million in SAFER grants.

 Klobuchar also discussed her recently introduced Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away from cancer caused by exposure to carcinogens in the line-of-duty. The bill would also extend disability benefits in cases where they become permanently and totally disabled due to cancer.