By Cole Waterman
mlive.com
BRIDGEPORT TWP, Mich. — The Bridgeport Fire Department has received a six-figure federal grant to update its facilities, improve firefighters’ response times, and protect their health and safety.
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet on Tuesday, Jan. 27, visited the department at 6204 Dixie Highway to announce she had obtained an $866,000 Community Development Grant to improve the station. McDonald Rivet secured the resources through her fiscal year 2026 Community Project Funding Initiative.
| READ NEXT: Discover how fire departments are redefining station design
The grant application was sent to her office in March 2025 by Bridgeport Township Chief Accountant Ron Rachwitz and then-Township Treasurer and past Fire Chief Patrick Nelson.
“We cannot thank her enough for seeing what this means to the community and our firefighters,” Fire Chief David Smigiel stated in a Facebook post.
The funding will help the department move forward with an extensive expansion and remodel of its existing 54-year-old station. It will repair deteriorating apparatus floors and allow for a proper shower/decontamination area for personnel to clean chemicals off themselves upon returning to the station.
The expansion will further create space on a crowded apparatus floor and enable the relocation of critical equipment for the decontamination/shower room project. The funding will also include updating undersized electrical systems, adding a new fire suppression system, and removing the old hose tower, Smigiel wrote.
“With the cooperation of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s office, the USDA, and other agencies, we hope to see construction begin later this year,” Smigiel wrote.
Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.
Stay current on NIOSH program layoffs, the status of the National Fire Academy and changes to FEMA
Firefighters from six departments knocked down a two-alarm fire in Hull, with one firefighter narrowly avoiding injury after falling into a basement
Ulster Hose Company firefighters rescued an occupant from a balcony during a basement fire at Royal Garden Apartments
After town leaders warned the Pemberton Volunteer Fire Department could shut down, residents and neighboring firefighters quickly stepped up
©2026 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit mlive.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Program provides departments with the funding to address the risks of diesel exhaust and airborne contaminants
