FEMA funding will cover two-thirds of salaries and benefits for three years, after which Muskegon officials will keep the positions to bolster long-term public safety

By Kayla Tucker
mlive.com

MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Muskegon Fire Department has received a federal grant to hire three new firefighters.

The department was awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, according to a press release.

| READ NEXT: “We won the grant! — Now what?”

The $708,463.02 grant will support the hiring of three additional firefighters for the next three years.

The funding will cover two-thirds of salaries and benefits for three years.

When the grant funding ends, “the city is committed to continuing the employment of these three firefighters to ensure long-term public safety,” the press release stated.

“This grant is a tremendous benefit to our department and our community,” said Tim Kozal, director of public safety in Muskegon. “By adding three new firefighters to our team, we will improve response times, increase firefighter safety, and continue delivering the high level of service our residents expect and deserve.”

Police believe a Wood Lake firefighter was driving under the influence of alcohol when the fire engine overturned after leaving school homecoming festivities

October 01, 2025 11:11 AM

Flames engulfed a Franklin Township home just before midnight, claiming the lives of five people

October 02, 2025 07:51 AM

Radio traffic captures the chaos as crews fighting the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints blaze were pulled out when the roof gave way

October 01, 2025 08:23 AM

Democrats blocked a GOP short-term bill, demanding reversal of Medicaid cuts and an extension of ACA premium tax credits, while Republicans rejected the trillion-dollar price tag

October 01, 2025 07:10 AM

The SAFER Program was established to help fire departments increase the number of trained, frontline firefighters in their communities, ensuring they can meet industry standards and respond effectively to emergencies.

Incident Command

Lightweight, durable, and built for modern crowd control

September 04, 2025 10:26 AM