SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $37K IN FED FUNDS FOR WOODLAWN VOL. FIRE COMPANY
Funding Will Be Used To Expand Recruitment
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $37,462 in federal funding for the Woodlawn Vol. Fire Company in Hamburg, NY. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. This funding will allow the Woodlawn Vol. Fire Company to bolster recruitment with the purchase of an LED sign, lawn signs, brochures and other recruitment materials.
“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 Woodlawn Vol. Fire Company to retain and grow its ranks and will help ensure that the Woodlawn Vol. Fire Company can respond to any situation quickly and efficiently. I’m proud to announce this grant and will continue working to make sure New York’s first responders have what they need.”
“These federal funds will allow the Woodlawn Vol. Fire Company to hire additional fire fighters to properly staff the department to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We need to do everything we can to protect our first responders when they risk their lives, and I will always fight in the Senate to make sure they are given the support they deserve.”
“This will successfully bring in additional volunteer firemen. Recruitment is essential to the survival of any volunteer department,” said Fire Chief Kevin Jewett.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, was created 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.
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