Creates New Jobs
As communities upgrade rescue equipment, many companies benefit, including local manufacturers and small businesses.
The FIRE Act grant has provided much needed funding to communities to upgrade out-dated equipment, better maintain trucks and invest in life-saving technology. This means that the FIRE Act grant programs have had an unexpected, but positive impact on many small businesses and manufacturers that serve fire and emergency service departments.
Consider protective clothing maker Globe Firesuits, based in New Hampshire. The company grew from 300 to 380 employees in just five years. In 2004, the firm opened an additional plant in Ada, Oklahoma and now employs 48 people at that facility.
That’s just one example of a company supporting the fire and emergency services industry and there are many more. An eco-system of companies is required to support fire and emergency service departments and this creates jobs for other citizens. Many of the companies that serve the fire and emergency services industry are still private, family-owned companies. They provide good jobs to many people and ultimately help grow local economies.
"The FIRE ACT has been an extraordinarily effective program. It has allowed Fire Departments across the country to replace outdated equipment or participate in training so they can better perform their critical roles."
Don WelchPresident, Globe Fire Suits, Inc.
