SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $2.3 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YO

Funding Will Be Used To Encourage Recruitment & Retention Of Firefighters Across NY 

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

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

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,336,433 in federal funding for nine fire departments across Upstate New York to aid in the recruitment and retention of volunteers. 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.

“From the peak of the pandemic to normal times, our brave firefighters are always on the front lines, risking their lives to protect their communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support possible to help them do their jobs. I’ve fought my whole career to bring more federal resources to support our heroic firefighters, and I’m proud to deliver this funding so Upstate Fire Departments can actively recruit and resolve staffing issues without bearing the financial stress.”

“New York’s first responders have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe throughout the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Senator Gillibrand. “As we enter fire season amidst a global pandemic, we must ensure our fire departments across New York have the resources needed to hire and retain firefighters. I will always fight to secure the funding our fire departments need to stay safe as they enter the line of duty.”

Specifically, the senators said the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York in Albany, the Inlet Volunteer Emergency Services Inc., the Village of Middleburgh, the Belmont Fire Department, the Springport Fire District in Union Springs, the Crittenden Volunteer Fire Co. Inc., the Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department, Bushnell’s Basin Fire Association Inc. in Pittsford, and the Rombout Fire District in Fishkill will receive the FEMA funding.

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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