SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $973,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TWO LONG ISLAND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Federal funding for East Rockaway & Port Washington Fire Depts. will be used for recruitment and training
Long Island, N.Y. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $973,580 in federal funding for the East Rockaway Fire Department and Port Washington Fire Department in Nassau County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. Specifically, East Rockaway Fire Department will receive $822,580 for firefighter recruitment. Port Washington Fire Department will receive $151,000 for department hiring.
“These essential federal funds will provide the East Rockaway and Port Washington fire departments with the resources they need to recruit and train the next generation of firefighters,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are local heroes and the primary line of defense in emergencies. They put their lives on the line every day to protect our residents, property, and community. That’s why they deserve a well-trained cohort of new staff to do their jobs to the best of their ability, and keep our community safe. It is vital that we provide them the support they need, and I am proud to fight for funding that supports our first responders.”
“These federal funds will help prepare our firefighters on Long Island when they risk their lives, go into harm’s way, and rescue people from deadly fires,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very pleased that this funding was awarded to the East Rockaway and Port Washington Fire Departments, and I will continue to fight in the Senate to make sure more of our local fire departments have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.”
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, was created 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.
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