SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $4.5 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING TO HIRE MORE THAN A DOZEN NEW FIREFIGHTERS IN JAMESTOWN, FULTON, AND NEW ROCHELLE

Jamestown, Fulton, And New Rochelle Fire Departments Have Faced Staffing Challenges, Impacting Their Ability To Respond To Daily Emergencies

Now, Thanks To This Major Federal Boost Delivered By Schumer And Gillibrand, They Will Have The Resources They Need To Hire 18 New Firefighters

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$$ Will Strengthen Fire Departments From Western NY To CNY To The Hudson Valley

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced over $4.5 million in federal funding for the Cities of Jamestown, Fulton and New Rochelle to hire new firefighters. Specifically, the Jamestown Fire Department will receive $1,816,201, the New Rochelle Fire Department will receive $1,679,796, and the Fulton Fire Department will receive $1,062,804. 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.

“Firefighters from Jamestown to Fulton to New Rochelle have worked non-stop battling on the frontlines of the pandemic and keeping our communities safe, and when I heard our fire departments were struggling to keep staffing up I promised to deliver the fed dollars to give our heroes the support they need. That is why I am proud to deliver this major over $4.5 million federal boost so our Upstate and Hudson Valley fire departments can hire new desperately-needed firefighters without bearing the financial stress,” said Senator Schumer. “I’ve fought my whole career to bring more federal resources to support our brave firefighters, and this will keep our New York fire departments prepared to take on any emergency.”

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We owe it to them to ensure that they have the resources and personnel they need to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible. Today, I’m proud to be delivering over $4.5 million in federal funding to battle ongoing staffing shortages in fire departments across New York and I will keep fighting to get more federal resources to our first responders.”

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said, "One of my top priorities as Mayor has been to enhance staffing and equipment in our public safety departments. The SAFER and AFG grant awards will add 8 new firefighters to the Jamestown Fire Department, as well as the addition of new equipment to enhance firefighter safety. These awards will help improve responsiveness, increase fire protection, and increase EMS coverage for all Jamestown residents and businesses. I would like to thank my friend Senator Schumer, who has been a tireless advocate for increased public safety resources in communities like Jamestown, for his support which made this award possible. Every day, I am humbled by the heroic work of our public safety departments, and I am proud to have secured over $2 million for our firefighters to keep Jamestown safe."

“The City of Fulton recognizes the significance the FEMA Safer Grant has to community safety and department capacity. Senator Schumer also recognized that in his efforts to secure the funding on our behalf,” said Mayor of Fulton Deana Michaels.

“We are grateful to Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their support in helping us obtain this grant. The SAFER Grant is a vital tool for delivering emergency services and will strengthen our fire department with 6 new firefighters,” said Andrew Sandor, City of New Rochelle Fire Commissioner and Chief of Department.

Schumer and Gillibrand explained the funding will go towards the hiring of 18 total new firefighters. In Fulton, the funding is expected be able to add 4 new firefighters to the force. In Jamestown, the funding is expected to be able to add 8 new firefighters. In New Rochelle, the funding is expected be able to add 6 new firefighters.

In addition to the major funding to hire new firefighters the senators also said that the City of Jamestown also received a $284,291 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to provide new radios and rope bailout system. This will improve safety measures on active calls and better prepare the Department for potentially life-saving situations.

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.

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