SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $7.5+ MILLION IN FED FUNDING FOR THE SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT – THE LARGEST FED GRANT THEY HAVE EVER RECEIVED - TO HELP HIRE & TRAIN UP TO 20 NEW FIREFIGHTERS TO HELP KEEP CENTRAL NY SAFE
Schumer Helped Create AFG & SAFER Programs, Which Help Train, Equip & Staff Fire Departments Across Upstate NY, Which Have Delivered Millions For Central NY Firefighters
Schumer Pushed To Re-Authorize Programs Earlier This Year To Support First Responders And Now Schumer Delivers Syracuse The 3rd Largest SAFER Grant In NYS History
Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Flowing To Hire Syracuse Firefighters
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $7,595,180 in federal funding for the City of Syracuse to hire up to 20 new firefighters. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, a program which the senators fought hard to successfully preserve and fund earlier this year.
“Our Syracuse firefighters are Central NY’s bravest, rushing to danger to protect our community. That is why when I heard our fire departments were struggling to keep up staffing, I promised to deliver the fed dollars to give our heroes the support they need. I am proud to deliver the largest FEMA grant in the Syracuse Fire Department’s history with over $7.5 million to hire and train the next generation of firefighters in Syracuse,” said Senator Schumer. “This major federal boost for Syracuse is the third largest SAFER grant in NYS history. I’ve fought my whole career to bring more federal resources to support our brave firefighters and today’s funding will help keep the world-class Syracuse Fire Department prepared to take on any emergency and hire the additional personnel they need to keep Syracuse safe. I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue fighting for New York fire departments.”
“Every day, Syracuse firefighters risk their lives and work tirelessly to defend our communities. That’s why I’m committed to making sure the Syracuse Fire Department has the federal support needed to take on any emergency situation,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This $7.5+ million in federal funding will allow the Syracuse Fire Department to hire and train a new generation of firefighters to defend our communities. I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue fighting for New York fire departments.”
“FEMA’s SAFER Grant will aid the Syracuse Fire Department in providing more efficient services to meet the needs of a city growing in population and new housing, increasing safety in our neighborhoods. This grant will also better support those firefighters who serve our city bravely, protecting our community and those who live in it. I thank Senator Schumer for his continued attention to the needs of our department and city,” said City of Syracuse Chief of Fire Michael J. Monds.
“The Syracuse Fire Department has earned a reputation as one of the best fire departments in the nation. The SAFER and FEMA AFG Grants will help ensure our city has the appropriate staffing and training to meet the demands of a growing city,” said City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “I thank Senator Schumer for his commitment to public safety and emergency services response for the people of the city of Syracuse.”
Specifically, this award will provide over $7.59 million to hire 20 new firefighters. The funds will cover 100 percent of the salary and benefits of the newly hired firefighters for three years. This extraordinary federal investment is the largest FEMA grant that the Syracuse Fire Department has ever received and is the 3rd largest SAFER grant in NYS history.
Schumer and Gillibrand have previously secured over $5 million for the Syracuse Fire Department through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and SAFER grant programs, including $1,991,532 in August 2016 to hire 12 new firefighters. This award come after the senators announced several rounds of AFG & SAFER funding earlier this year for fire departments across Upstate NY. Schumer, who helped create the AFG & SAFER programs, said that since their inception, these programs have delivered almost $700 million to firefighters across the Empire State.
Earlier this year, Senator Schumer 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 administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide 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. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need.
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