Pueblo Fire Department Wins $1 Million Grant

Competitive federal grant will support hiring, training

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced today that the Pueblo Fire Department has won a $1 million competitive grant through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

The program is designed to help fire departments increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters.

“We’re thrilled by this announcement,” Pueblo Fire Chief Dale Villers said. “This is going to be a great advantage to us and the City of Pueblo, enabling us to hire and train qualified firefighters to better protect our southern Colorado community.”

“In an era of shrinking municipal budgets, these federal resources are a critical part of helping local fire departments attract and retain the best firefighters,” Bennet said.

The Pueblo Fire Department’s grant was one of 13 nationally to be announced this week by the Department of Homeland Security.