Harder Announces over $500,000 Investment For Manteca to Hire Additional Firefighters

WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) today announced a federal investment of $542,201.70 to allow the Manteca Fire Department to hire more firefighters. The investment, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, ensures that local fire departments have the funding necessary to keep communities safe.

"Folks in Manteca can sleep more soundly knowing that even more professional firefighters will soon be on the trucks," said Rep. Harder. "I'm proud to support the SAFER program and the men and women of our fire departments who risk life and limb every day to protect our communities."

"By hiring additional firefighters, service levels, emergency response times and department capabilities will be strengthened by allowing us to adequately serve the nearly 85,000 residents here in Manteca." Manteca Fire Chief Kyle Shipherd commented, "We're so grateful for this SAFER grant. This grant will help Manteca Fire provide a higher level safety for all of our community and our Firefighters."

The Manteca Fire Department sent staff to Rep. Harder's firefighter grants workshop.

The SAFER program was created to provide funding to allow fire departments to increase the number of firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards. More information on the program is available here.