President Joe Biden flies to Philadelphia on Monday to announce a $22.4 million grant for city firefighters
By means ofCHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press
December 11, 2023, 12:10 am
FILE – President Joe Biden speaks about investing in rail projects, including high-speed electric trains, on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, file)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will join Philadelphia firefighters on Monday to announce federal funding that the White House says will reopen three fire companies.
The companies – Engine 6, Ladder 1 and Ladder 11 – were decommissioned during the Great Recession. Union leaders say the cuts have hampered the city's response to the deadly fire in the Fairmount neighborhood last year. Three adults and nine children died in the fire.
The White House said Philadelphia would receive $22.4 million to pay the salaries and benefits of 72 firefighters over three years. The money comes from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and was made available through last year's budget.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and U.S. Fire Administration Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell will also attend Monday's event.
Ed Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, and Mike Bresnan, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22, are also expected to attend.
Biden also has political reasons for being in Philadelphia. He'll be holding a fundraiser in town.
The Democratic president is ramping up his fundraising as he prepares for a possible rematch with Republican former President Donald Trump next year.