SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $3.6 MILLION FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK TO PROVIDE CRITICAL NEW GEAR, TRAINING, AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TO HELP PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS AND KEEP NY COMMUNITIES SAFE

Schumer Helped Create The AFG & SAFER Grant Which Delivered Today’s Funding – And Says Boosts Like This Are Why He Fought To Pass The Fire Grants And Safety Act In The Senate To Save The Program From Being Eliminated This Year

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$$ Will Help Protect The Brave Firefighters That Keep New Yorkers Safe

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,638,904.22 in federal funding for several fire departments across Upstate New York. Specifically, the funding will be used to provide protective gear, training, and supplies to emergency personnel across 27 fire departments. This critical federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.

“From Black River to Buffalo, our brave firefighters are always on the front lines risking their lives to protect our communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support possible to ensure they have the adequate training, protective gear, and equipment they need to keep themselves and New Yorkers across the state safe. I’ve fought my whole career to deliver resources for New York’s firefighters, and today’s over $3.6 million will keep New York’s dedicated firefighters prepared to take on any emergency.”

“New York’s firefighters work tirelessly to protect our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding will provide New York’s firefighters with the essential training, equipment and supplies they need to respond to emergency situations safely and efficiently. I will continue to fight to ensure New York’s firefighters are well-equipped to protect our communities and save lives.”

Earlier this year, Schumer and Gillibrand led the charge to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 in the Senate, which would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Fire Administration, the AFG, and SAFER Grant Program through FY2030. The bill also extends the sunset for both SAFER and AFG from 2024 to 2032. The bill would increase the authorization for the U.S. Fire Administration by about $20 million, while maintaining the authorized funding level for SAFER and AFG at $750 million.

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to purchase essential equipment and help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need.

The funding recipients are listed by region below:

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