SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $147,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE CITY OF WATERTOWN FIRE-RESCUE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY
Federal Funding For Watertown Fire-Rescue Will Be Used To Purchase New Equipment
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $147,362 in federal funding for the City of Watertown Fire-Rescue to purchase new equipment. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
The Watertown Fire-Rescue will use this federal investment to upgrade radios for first responders and purchase new radios for the County’s future truck radio system.
“These much-needed federal funds will enable the Watertown Fire-Rescue to invest in the critical radio systems they need to keep first responders safe and 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 technology 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 Watertown Fire District will use this funding to purchase critical equipment that will help enhance communications among first responders during emergency situations. I will continue to push for funding that helps keep our first responders safe as they do their job protecting our community.”
“We are very excited to be able to have this opportunity to enhance the safety of our firefighters by equipping each member of the department with portable radios that have interoperable capabilities, which allows members to communicate on both our current radio system and the County’s future truck radio system,” said Dale Herman, City of Watertown Fire Department Fire Chief. “The ability to inform members operating at an incident of updates, changes in strategy and that a member is missing are fundamentally important in providing for their safety.”
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 at http://www.
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