SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $177K IN FED FUNDS FOR TWO WESTERN NEW YORK FIRE DEPARTMENTS

City of Jamestown & City of Lockport Fire Depts. Will Use Funding to Replace Critical, Life-Saving Equipment to Keep Firefighters Safe

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a total of $177,430 in federal funding for two Western New York fire departments. Specifically, the City of Jamestown Fire Department in Chautauqua County will receive $48,637 and the City of Lockport Fire Department in Niagara County will receive $128,793. This funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s (AFG) Fire Prevention & Safety Program (FP&S) and will be used to purchase critical, life-saving equipment to keep firefighters safe.

“These much-needed federal funds will enable two Western New York Fire Departments in Jamestown and Lockport to purchase the new, life-saving equipment that will keep firefighters safe and make them more effective during emergency situations,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes—they are our primary line of defense and protect our residents and property. That is why it is crucial that we provide them with the cutting-edge equipment that they need to do their jobs and save lives.”

“We must ensure that our first responders who put themselves in harm’s way have the most up-to-date equipment they need to help save lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Jamestown and Lockport Fire Departments will use this funding to purchase critical, life-saving equipment that will help them protect our community.”

The City of Jamestown Fire Department will use this grant to replace extraction equipment that has been used for over 25 years. This equipment that will enable them to quickly and efficiently rescue patients trapped in vehicles. The City of Jamestown will use these extraction tools, commonly known as the “Jaws of Life,” to provide a quicker response in removing injured and trapped people from vehicles. These tools will include cutters, airbags that lift vehicles, and stabilization bars.

“The Jamestown Fire Department would like to thank Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as Congressman Tom Reed for their help in securing our award for vehicle extrication equipment through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security,” said Matt Russo, Battalion Chief of the Jamestown Fire Department.

The City of Lockport will use its federal funds to purchase 20 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). These SCBA air-packs help firefighters breathe when in burning buildings and hazardous environments. These SCBAs have reached the end of their reliable life, making the Fire District’s need for new equipment especially acute.

“We're very grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and FEMA for helping us secure this funding. Our new self-contained breathing apparatus equipment will help keep our firefighters safe and ensure NFPA compliance,” said Luca Quagliano, Municipal Training Officer of the Lockport Fire Dept.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department's United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program's priorities and demonstrate financial need.  More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed athttp://www.fema.gov/firegrants.

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