PHOTOS: Peters Kicks Off 10th and Final Motorcycle Tour in Bay City

BAY CITY, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) kicked off his annual motorcycle tour across Michigan at Bay City Fire Department Station #2, where he saw how federal funding he secured will help clean up toxic PFAS contamination on the property. During his visit, Peters also highlighted an additional $1.3 million federal grant he secured, funded by his bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which enabled the Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw fire departments to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). SCBAs allow firefighters to breathe safely during dangerous rescues.

"Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. We have a responsibility to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to stay safe on the job," Peters said. "For years, hazardous PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams have posed serious health risks to firefighters, which is why it's so important that we clean up contaminated sites like this one. I was proud to secure nearly $1 million to help Bay City clean up this site and protect the brave firefighters who serve this community."

Peters continued, "I'm also proud that fire departments across the Bay Region have been able to use grant programs I fought for to purchase critical safety equipment that helps keep first responders safe when they go into harm's way."

"Senator Peters has worked to secure robust federal investments to help the Bay City Fire Department replace lifesaving equipment and address toxic PFAS contamination at Fire Station #2," said Kurt Corradi, Bay City Fire Chief. "I've been proud to partner with him to protect our firefighters and keep our communities safe, and I was honored to welcome him to Bay City on this year's motorcycle tour."

"Addressing the PFAS contamination at Fire Station #2 has been a long-term priority for Bay City, but identifying a revenue stream became one of the biggest challenges for getting remediation work started," said Bay City Public Safety Director Caleb Rowell. "Thanks to our partnership with Senator Peters, we were able to secure the nearly $1 million investment needed to begin the process of cleaning up this site. Once finished, this project will help protect our firefighters and the neighboring communities from any potential impacts of these harmful chemicals."

"Today, firefighters in Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw respond to emergencies using top-of-the-line safe breathing equipment thanks to funding made possible by Senator Peters' Fire Grants and Safety Act," said Joshua Mosher, City of Midland Fire Chief. "Our departments were proud to work collaboratively to secure this robust funding, and we appreciate Senator Peters' long-term support of fire and emergency response here in the Bay Region."

"Senator Peters understands that local fire departments need to have the best equipment available to protect first responders when they enter harm's way," said Brandon Hausbeck, City of Saginaw Fire Chief. "Not only does this federal investment help us protect our firefighters, these new breathing apparatuses put our department in compliance with current regulations, which wouldn't have been possible without this funding."

To view photos from Senator Peters' tour in Bay City, click HERE.

Peters secured $959,000 in government funding legislation signed into law earlier this year to support the excavation and demolition of existing fire station property where PFAS contamination was detected. Peters also advocated for and helped secure a $1.3 million federal grant for a joint application between the Bay City Fire Department, Midland Fire Department, and Saginaw Fire Department. The funding allowed the departments to purchase a total of 120 SCBAs, which are now in use across each department. The grant funding comes from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which Peters passed bipartisan legislation into law to reauthorize in 2024.

Peters has a long legacy of fighting to address toxic PFAS chemicals. In September 2018, Peters convened the first-ever hearing on PFAS contamination in the Senate, and has held numerous hearings since to continue to conduct oversight and hold Administrations accountable to address PFAS. Peters also authored bipartisan legislation that was signed into law to reduce the spread of PFAS chemicals at commercial airports. In 2022, Peters' bill to help protect firefighters and emergency responders from PFAS exposure in the line of duty was also signed into law.

Securing this funding for Bay City is also part of Peters' legacy of delivering for firefighters and first responders in Michigan. Peters led the charge to extend the federal programs that are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.

Peters - an avid and longtime motorcycle rider - kicked off his "Thank you, Michigan" tour in Bay City. He will then make stops in Alpena, Marquette, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing. He will ride more than 1,000 miles across the state on this year's tour - which is Peters' 10th and last official motorcycle tour.

"I've always said the best way to travel across our state is on a motorcycle," Peters said. "Representing Michigan in the U.S. Senate has been the absolute honor of my lifetime. So, this year's tour is about saying thank you to all of the amazing people and communities I've been able to partner with during my career to help make Michigan an amazing place to work, live, and raise a family."

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