President Joe Biden traveled to Philadelphia Monday to meet with fire fighters at Ladder 1, one of three companies reopening thanks to a $22.4 million federal SAFER award. The companies were shuttered in 2009 by then-Mayor Michael Nutter due to budget constraints.
The SAFER grant will fund the salaries and benefits of 72 fire fighters/EMTs at Engine 6, Ladder 1, and Ladder 11 for three years.
“The most important thing we bring to a fire or emergency isn’t ladders or water,” said General President Edward Kelly, who opened the event. “It’s professional, well-trained fire fighters and emergency medical workers. Properly staffing and equipping fire departments keeps our communities safe and saves the lives of civilians and fire fighters alike. Nobody knows this better than Joe Biden.”
A deadly rowhouse fire in the city’s Fairmount neighborhood claimed the lives of 12 people, including nine children, nearly two years ago. Ladder 1 would have been the first due company to the incident.
“In my eight years as mayor, that was one of the saddest days I’ve ever experienced – to watch all these brave fire fighters try to save those kids, and they couldn’t do it because of the intensity of the smoke and the fire,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.
Kelly and Philadelphia Local 22 President Mike Bresnan spoke with Biden after the fatal 2022 fire. He promised his support.
“That Ladder 1 is now open is due to the fact that we have a President of the United States who cares deeply about this community and cares deeply about public safety,” said Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA). “He has always been there for our fire fighters and for our community.”
Biden, who as a senator championed the creation of the SAFER program, reiterated his commitment to the fire service during his remarks.
“The only thing that protects fire fighters is more fire fighters,” Biden said, standing on the bay floor. “Let me say that again. The only thing that protects fire fighters is more fire fighters.
“My entire career, I’ve been committed to doing everything I can to put more fire fighters in the field and give you the training and equipment you need to do your jobs. That’s what today is all about.”
Philadelphia will also use the grant money to hire a new recruit class, which enters the fire academy on Jan. 8. Kenney and Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel have now reopened all seven companies closed by the Nutter administration.
Kelly said events like today highlight the importance of the SAFER program, which Congress has failed to reauthorize after Sept. 30, 2024.
“We’re calling on Congress to reauthorize this program immediately,” he said. “Fully fund the SAFER Act and the FIRE Act, the partner grant program providing critical equipment that keeps the public AND fire fighters safe.
“Put partisan politics aside,” Kelly said, “and get the SAFER and AFG reauthorization to President Biden’s desk.”
