The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) selected U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) as its 2021 Legislator of the Year.
Serving the State of Michigan as a U.S. Senator since 2015, Senator Peters has worked tirelessly on public safety initiatives, including those benefiting the fire and emergency services. A member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Senator Peters is also the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration. During his time in the Senate, Senator Peters has worked hard to advance fire and emergency services legislative initiatives in the spirit of bipartisanship.
Senator Peters has been an advocate for funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs and has supported other important legislative initiatives impacting public safety. Senator Peters has led efforts to address firefighter health and safety issues, including exposure to toxic chemicals during emergency response. In addition, the Senate Homeland Security Committee under Senator Peters’ leadership has taken a look at addressing other issues affecting the fire and emergency services, including wildland fires.
“Senator Peters is a strong champion of the fire and emergency services and has continually worked to improve public safety throughout his tenure in Congress,” said the President of CFSI’s Board of Directors, Bill Jenaway. “His commitment to working in the spirit of bipartisanship to get things done on our issues is part of what makes him such an effective legislator.”
“Firefighters in Michigan and around the country put their lives at risk to protect their communities. Ensuring the safety of our firefighters must be a top priority,” said Senator Peters. “I’m honored to have earned this distinction, and I am thankful to have partners like the Congressional Fire Services Institute – which has championed protection and safety for emergency responders. Whether it is expanding the use of SAFER grants to promote part-time firefighters – or protecting firefighters from exposure to toxic chemicals such as PFAS – I will continue working to address fire safety and protect our first responders.”
Congressional Fire Services Institute | (202) 371-1277 | [email protected] | www.cfsi.org
