President Joe Biden joined Philadelphia firefighters on Monday to announce federal funding that will reopen three fire companies, according to the White House.
The companies — Engine 6, Ladder 1 and Ladder 11 — were decommissioned during the Great Recession.
Union leaders have said the cutbacks hampered the city's response to a deadly rowhouse fire in the Fairmount neighborhood last year. Three adults and nine children were killed in the blaze.
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Ladder 1, on 16th and Parrish streets, was located about a mile away from where the fire occurred.
"On the day of the Fairmount fire, if the company hadn't been decommissioned, Ladder 1 would've been the closest truck to the fire," Biden said Monday during a press conference at Ladder 1. "God only knows whether it would've been able to get there that much earlier to save lives."
Biden reached out to Philly fire officials after the Fairmount tragedy to see what was needed. He was then put in contact with Mike Bresnan, the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22, the union which represents Philadelphia firefighters and paramedics.
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"My personal opinion being on this job almost 30 years and working this area knowing the members that used to work Ladder 1, there's no doubt in my mind they would've gotten into that dwelling and possibly grabbed a couple of those kids," Bresnan said.
The White House said Philadelphia will receive $22.4 million to pay for 72 firefighters' salaries and benefits for three years. The money comes from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and was made available through last year's budget.
During Monday's event, Biden revealed he was saved by firefighters after suffering a medical emergency during a snow storm in the 1980s.
"I would not be here if it were not for my local fire company in Wilmington, Delaware," Biden said. "They saved my life."
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell also attended Monday's event.
Ladder 1 is currently operational again due to the grant. Ladder 11 and Engine 6 will both reopen at a later, undisclosed time, according to officials.
In addition to announcing the grant, Biden is also holding a campaign fundraiser in Philadelphia.
The Democratic president is ramping up his fundraising as he prepares for a potential rematch with Republican former President Donald Trump next year.
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