Biden heads to Philadelphia for firefighters and fundraising

President Biden’s visit to Philadelphia serves a dual purpose. Firstly, he is announcing federal funding of $22.4 million to reopen three fire companies, which were previously decommissioned during the Great Recession. This funding aims to enhance the city’s firefighting capabilities, addressing past cutbacks that had hampered their response to emergencies. Secondly, President Biden is also holding a campaign fundraiser in the city as part of his fundraising efforts for a potential reelection bid against former President Donald Trump.

The funding to reopen the fire companies in Philadelphia is sourced from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. This program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was made available through the budget of the previous year.

The event in Philadelphia will be attended by several notable figures. Alongside President Biden, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, and U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell are scheduled to be present. Additionally, representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters, including Ed Kelly, the organization’s president, and Mike Bresnan, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22, are expected to participate.

The decision to reopen these fire companies in Philadelphia stems from the recognition that their decommissioning during the Great Recession had a detrimental impact on the city’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies. In particular, a tragic rowhouse fire in the Fairmount neighborhood last year, resulting in the loss of three adults and nine children, underscored the urgency of addressing this issue.

No, President Biden’s visit to Philadelphia is not solely focused on firefighting matters. While the announcement of federal funding for fire companies is a significant part of the visit, he is also holding a campaign fundraiser in the city. This fundraising activity is part of his preparations for a potential rematch with former President Donald Trump in the upcoming year’s elections.