The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Mayor Charlie Luken returned to Cincinnati on Tuesday after a two-day trip to lobby Congress for more money for firefighters and first responders.

Luken, making his first trip since the city got rid of its longtime Washington lobbyist, said he and local firefighters met with Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio; Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati; and aides to Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park.

The city is hoping to build a $2 million regional firefighting training center with some federal help. It also hopes to get federal aid to buy more thermal imaging cameras, which can help firefighters find people inside burning buildings. The city has budgeted $100,000 to buy eight to 10 such cameras; it's looking for federal help to make sure all 26 city firehouses have one.

Luken said the fiscally conservative Chabot was "probably less enthusiastic than DeWine" when it came to finding money, "but he indicated he understands the federal government must help first responders, and that he would be supportive of money for first responders."