WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said she will be voting for the Fire Grants and Safety Act.
The Democrat said she believes volunteer fire departments deserve federal funding to keep communities safe.
“We have 775 fire departments all across Minnesota and 97% of our firefighters are volunteer," Smith said during a Thursday, April 20, interview on the KAXE Morning Show. "And it is really a challenge for local departments, fire departments and emergency responders, especially in small towns and rural communities, to pay for.”
According to Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who authored the Fire Grants and Safety Act, fire departments use the programs for a number of reasons, including recruitment and retainment of personnel, equipment, health screenings and safety training.
“Think about it and what it takes to maintain those departments and ... when you call 911 because you’ve had a medical emergency in your home, you need and expect somebody to be there as soon as they possibly can," Smith said.
As the interview concluded during the Spring Membership Drive, Smith added she was a confirmed fan and listener of public radio like KAXE.
“I know that you will be providing the facts and information, and you will dive beneath the headlines,” Smith said.
“You’re looking to just tell people what’s going on and give them the information and let them make their own judgments about what they think.”
