SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE +$390K IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE TOWN OF NISKAYUNA FIRE DEPARTMENT IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Funding Will Be Used To Hire New Firefighter Paramedics
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $390,128 in federal funding for the Town of Niskayuna Fire Department in Schenectady County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The Town of Niskayuna Fire Department will use the funding to hire two new firefighter paramedics.
“Whether it’s a fire, flood, car accident, or when disaster strikes, we depend on these local heroes to keep us safe, and they depend on us to give them the resources they need to do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding will allow the Niskayuna Fire Department to grow its ranks with two new firefighter paramedics, which will help ensure that they can respond to any emergency quickly and efficiently. I’m proud to announce this federal investment, and will continue fighting to ensure that fire departments across the Capital Region and Upstate New York have the tools and resources they need.”
“I am proud to announce this funding for the Niskayuna Fire Department, which will be able to add two new firefighter paramedics to its team,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our hardworking firefighters risk their lives every day when responding to emergencies, and this funding will help keep our communities safe. I will always do everything I can to ensure that our local fire departments have the resources they need.”
“Niskayuna Fire District No. 1 is a combination fire/EMS agency that utilizes career and volunteer staffing to provide fire prevention, fire suppression, and paramedic ambulance service to the citizens and visitors in the fire district. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Award will allow Niskayuna Fire District No. 1 to hire two additional firefighter/paramedics in an effort to address the steady increase in emergency call volume coupled with the continued decrease in volunteer firefighter response. The SAFER grant funding will help us soften the initial financial burden on our taxpayers as we work to maintain our critical services to the community,” said Niskayuna Fire Chief Dale Lingenfelter.
The SAFER grant program was established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. More information can be found here.
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