SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $13+ MILLION FOR ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER TO INSTALL NEW EMERGENCY GENERATORS, TO MAINTAIN LIFESAVING CARE DURING SNOWSTORMS & EXTREME WEATHER
Senators Say New FEMA Funding – At A 90% Federal Cost Share – Will Boost Erie Medical Center For Key Power Infrastructure Upgrades, Improving The Hospital’s Ability To Operate During Extreme Weather Like Blizzards Or Power Outages
Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Is Generating The Resources So Erie County Medical Center Can Keep Up Lifesaving Care In WNY
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $13,629,976 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo to fund the purchase of six new generators, upgrade transfer switches and switch gear for Main Hospital Systems, replace their underground storage tank, and install temporary emergency power with temporary mobile generators. The funds reimburse the hospital for expenses related to key power infrastructure upgrades and is provided at a 90% federal cost share.
“This $13+ million is a big shot in the arm for Erie County Medical Center and will help the hospital serve communities in snowstorms and other severe conditions, boosting the safety and resiliency of a critical healthcare institution in the region. With six new generators, we are helping ensure Erie County Medical Center can continue to provide lifesaving care to patients in Buffalo and Western NY 24/7 no matter the weather,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to deliver this funding for Buffalo and Western NY and will never stop fighting to strengthen healthcare infrastructure for all New Yorkers.”
“Erie County Medical Center is a vital health care resource that provides life-saving care for thousands of people in Western New York,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This $13+ million will help fund critical infrastructure upgrades for the hospital, including six new generators to ensure the lights stay on during any extreme weather event. I’m proud to announce this funding and will keep fighting to secure federal funding for our hospitals.”
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, ECMC President and CEO said, “We thank Senator Schumer for his strong support of ECMC and our effort to upgrade and modernize our emergency generators, which will provide critically important power to our healthcare facilities in the event of a loss of power. As our region’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, it is essential that we have the most up-to-date systems in place to ensure that there is no interruption in life-saving services for our patients. Thanks to the Senator’s efforts and FEMA, this grant will enable ECMC to acquire and install six new state-of-the-art emergency generators that will protect ECMC for many years to come.”
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