Tester Secures More Than $300,000 for Firefighting in Ravalli County

Funding will work to meet the needs of the Sula Rural Fire District

Continuing his longstanding efforts to support Montana’s firefighters, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $304,762 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) for the Sula Rural Fire District. The funding will go towards new self-containing breathing apparatuses (SCBAs).

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Tester secured these funds through the FY23 government funding bill. Senator Tester was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote for this funding.

“Every day, Montana’s firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, rushing into danger while others run away – and the least we can do is work to ensure these heroes have the support and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Tester. “I’ve always been proud to support reauthorizing critical AFG grants to help Montana’s fire departments purchase equipment, and I’m glad to see that funding go towards the vital firefighting efforts in Ravalli County.”

In June, Tester introduced his bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act to reauthorize the AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Programs, as well as increase funding for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) through 2028. AFG and SAFER are the main sources of federal funding for firefighters and help departments purchase equipment and increase staffing – and both programs were set to expire in September 30, 2024. Both programs backed by Tester are particularly important to small, rural, and volunteer fire departments.

Tester has consistently supported Montana’s firefighters. Tester currently serves as Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, he also recently secured $648 million for AFG and SAFER in the 2024 government funding bill.

You can read more about Tester’s efforts to support state and federal firefighters HERE.