Dayton Reporter

On Aug. 17, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) announced the allocation of over $450,000 in federal funding to fire and EMS departments in Southwest Ohio, benefiting the Cities of Huber Heights, Springfield, and Dayton. These funds, provided under the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program, will support operations, safety, vehicle acquisition, and community risk reduction efforts, highlighting Turner's commitment to the region's first responders.

“Southwest Ohio is home to the finest emergency medical services and firefighters that our country has to offer,” said Rep. Turner, according to an Aug. 17 press release. “Since my time as Mayor of Dayton, securing federal funding for the Miami Valley’s first responders has been among my top priorities. The brave men and women who serve in our fire and EMS departments are the very best of us, and they deserve our unwavering support.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program's primary objective is to fulfill the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations, according to FEMA. Since its establishment in 2001, the AFG has played a vital role in providing essential resources such as equipment, training, protective gear, and emergency vehicles to firefighters and first responders. These resources contribute to safeguarding both the public and emergency personnel from fire-related hazards. 

According to his bio page, having served as Mayor of Dayton for eight years, Rep. Turner demonstrated a strong commitment to neighborhood revitalization and economic growth. He initiated Rehabarama, a collaborative effort to restore neglected housing in historic Dayton neighborhoods, which received national recognition for its economic impact. Turner achieved substantial progress during his tenure, including enhancing police response time by 40%, increasing the police force by 54 officers, and allocating over $19 million in grants for housing and job projects. This was all accomplished while maintaining a balanced budget.

Rep. Turner dedicates his efforts to safeguarding jobs, families, and the community. His work in Congress has led to the addition of around 10,000 jobs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio's largest single-site employer. Turner's advocacy focuses on protecting the military from potentially damaging cuts that could jeopardize national security. He emphasizes government accountability by opposing bailouts and sequestration measures. Turner is a staunch supporter of service members and strives to protect their custody rights while also working to eliminate sexual assault within the military.