SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $12 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING TO HIRE NEW FIREFIGHTERS IN FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK

Senators Say Upstate Firefighters Have Worked Tirelessly Throughout The COVID-19 Pandemic, Now Face Staffing And Budget Issues

Schumer, Gillibrand: Federal Funding Will Help Bolster Upstate Fire Departments

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $12,316,450 in federal funding for five fire departments across Upstate New York to hire 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.

“Our brave firefighters worked around the clock during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to risk their lives to protect our communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support possible to help them do their jobs. I will always fight to bring more federal resources to support our brave firefighters, and I’m proud to deliver this funding so Upstate Fire Departments can hire new desperately needed firefighters without bearing the financial stress.”

“Firefighters across New York State have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to protect our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue fighting for funding to ensure that our fire departments have what they need to remain adequately staffed, respond quickly to emergencies, and stay safe on the front lines.”

Specifically, the senators said the City of Albany, City of Auburn, Village of Johnson City, Town of Lagrange, and the City of Syracuse will receive the FEMA funding for hiring firefighters.

The SAFER grant program was established by FEMA within DHS 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.

A breakdown of the funding appears below:

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