SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $3.2+ MILLION IN FED FUNDING FOR BINGHAMTON & ELMIRA FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO HELP TRAIN AND HIRE NEW FIREFIGHTERS TO KEEP THE SOUTHERN TIER SAFE
Schumer Created SAFER Program, Which Helps Staff Fire Departments Across Upstate NY, And Along With AFG Is Local Fire Depts’ Main Lines Of Fed Funding; When Programs Were On Chopping Block Last Year, Schumer Stood With Southern Tier Firefighters To Push To Successfully Re-Authorize Program
Funding Will Help Binghamton Fire Department Hire And Train 8 New Firefighters & Elmira Fire Department Hire A New Firefighter For Every Shift For Three Years
Schumer: Fed $$ Are Helping Southern Tier Firefighters Staff Up!
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced $3,202,296 in federal funding for the Binghamton Fire Department and the Elmira Fire Department to train and hire new firefighters in the Southern Tier. This federal funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which the senator fought hard to successfully preserve and fund earlier this year.
“Across the Southern Tier, brave firefighters risk their lives on the frontlines every day rushing to danger to protect our communities,” said Senator Schumer. “This $3.2+ million will help the Binghamton and Elmira Fire Departments train and hire new firefighters to keep the Southern Tier safe. I stood with firefighters across Upstate NY to push for the reauthorization of the SAFER program because I know how important it is for our first responders to be prepared. I’m grateful that the SAFER program is continuing to deliver results for Upstate NY and help Southern Tier fire departments staff up.”
“The City of Elmira and the Elmira Fire Department are beyond grateful and excited to be awarded the FY 2023 SAFER Grant. With rising calls and additional strain on department resources, this grant will allow the department to add additional staff to operate safely and effectively. We are hoping to use the additional staff to add a rescue truck to our first due response. This apparatus would offer additional specialized tools and equipment, a quicker response, and cut down on wear and tear on our larger apparatus. I would like to thank Senator Schumer as well as many other local representatives that sent letters of support and who continue to support the FEMA grants to help local fire departments cope with new regulations, rising costs, and additional call volume,” said Elmira Fire Chief Andrew Mallow.
"This critical federal funding will allow the City of Binghamton to hire more firefighters, reduce overtime costs and strengthen the department. It's been many years since Binghamton received this kind of funding support for firefighter staffing and it will make an immediate impact on our community's public safety. We're pleased that Binghamton was awarded in a highly-competitive process, with a thanks to our federal lawmakers - especially Senator Chuck Schumer - for advocating to secure the resources our fire department deserves,” said City of Binghamton Mayor Jared M. Kraham.
The awards include $1,836,624 for the Binghamton Fire Department and $1,365,672 for the Elmira Fire Department. The Binghamton Fire Department will use this funding hire up to 8 new firefighters and help bring their firefighter staffing closer to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, creating a safer environment for firefighters. Every year, the Department struggles fiscally with overtime and retirements and is constantly chasing staffing requirements. This funding will bring ease in their ability to hire. The Elmira Fire Department plans on using this much needed funding to add one firefighter to each of its four shifts for a period of three years, for up to 4 new firefighters. It has been over 10 years since the Elmira Fire Department secured funding from the SAFER program, and now they will be more equipped to assist the community.
Schumer, who helped create the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) & SAFER programs, said that since their inception, these programs have delivered almost $700 million to firefighters across the Empire State. This includes $27,009 for the Elmira Fire Department and $68,181 for the Binghamton Fire Department announced in July for protective gear, training, and supplies through the AFG program.
When the AFG & SAFER programs were on the chopping block last year, Schumer stood with Southern Tier firefighters to fight to save this program. Earlier this year Schumer announced they were successful and applauded the signing of the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which extends the AFG and SAFER programs, to help keep firefighters and communities safe. Schumer explained that the AFG and SAFER programs have been a lifeline for fire departments across the state and have become essential to their continued operations. Fire departments, especially those in Upstate New York, often face budget shortfalls and extremely high costs that mean they cannot purchase the modern equipment they need to combat emergencies and keep firefighters safe. Schumer said that AFG and SAFER grants have positively benefited fire departments in every corner of Upstate New York. Thanks to Senator Schumer and his colleagues’ Fire Grants and Safety Act, NY firefighters will continue to receive the federal support they need to purchase lifesaving equipment and hire more firefighters throughout Upstate NY.
The AFG and SAFER grant programs are both administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide competitive funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to purchase essential equipment and help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities.
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