SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $790K IN FED FUNDING FOR THE JOHNSON CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN BROOME COUNTY
Federal Funding For Johnson City Fire Department Will Be Used To Hire 5 New Firefighters
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $797,990 in federal funding for the Johnson City Fire Department in Broome County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The Johnson City Fire Department will use these funds to expand its emergency personnel by hiring five new, full-time firefighters, which will ensure their second fire station stays open.
“These essential federal funds will provide the Johnson City Fire Department with the assistance it needs to run its fire department as smoothly as possible,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are local heroes and primary line of defense in emergencies. They put their lives on the line every day to protect our residents, property, and community. That’s why they deserve the adequate number of staff in order to do their jobs to the best of their ability, and keep our community safe. It is vital that we provide them the support they need, and I am proud to fight for funding that supports our first responders.”
“These federal funds will help protect our firefighters in Johnson City when they risk their lives, go into harm’s way, and rescue people from deadly fires,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very pleased that this funding was awarded to the Johnson City Fire Department, and I will continue to fight in the Senate to make sure more of our local fire departments have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.”
“This award is great news. We are a much smaller department than we were even just 10 years ago, going out on more calls than ever before. These funds will allow the department to hire five new firefighters to protect our village and keep our citizens safe. We appreciate all of Senator Schumer’s support, and look forward to adding new members to our team,” said Rob Jacyna, Chief of Johnson City Fire Department.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order 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.
###
