SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $970K IN FED FUNDS FOR TROY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN RENSSELAER COUNTY
Federal Funding For Troy Fire Department Will Be Used to Hire 7 New Firefighters
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $972,377 in federal funding for the Troy Fire Department in Rensselaer County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The federal funding will allow the Troy Fire Department to expand its emergency personnel by hiring seven new firefighters.
“These essential federal funds will provide the City of Troy 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 the Troy Fire Department hire the first responders they need do their work effectively and safely,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Protecting our families and communities is a top priority and the new addition of trained firefighters would help improve public safety. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure more of our local fire departments have the equipment and personnel they need to respond to emergencies.”
“The critically important federal funding made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFER grant program, which allows for filling of existing vacancies in the Troy Fire Department, not only strengthens and improves the department’s firefighting capacity and rapid response capabilities, it also gives the department the flexibility it needs to continue providing important emergency services to our residents when they need them the most. I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Senators Schumer, Gillibrand, and Congressman Tonko for their continued support and commitment to building a safer community here in the Collar City,” said City of Troy Mayor Patrick Madden.
The Troy Fire Department provides fire and emergency response services to the City of Troy. Approximately 9,000 calls are answered each year, with about 500 calls for fires. They have 119 uniformed personnel and operate five engine companies, a rescue engine company, two truck companies, three ambulances, a hazardous material response unit, and two rescue boats. The Troy Fire Department also serves as the hazardous material response unit for the County of Rensselaer.
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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