SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MAFFEI ANNOUNCE $15,300 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Dan Maffei today announced that the Syracuse Fire Department has been awarded $15,300 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Syracuse Fire Department will use this grant to purchase a BullEx Attack Digital Fire Training System, which will allow the Department to create a simulated fire in a high rise building so that firefighters can train in a realistic setting.
“These much-needed funds will allow the Syracuse Fire Department to invest in the equipment they need to train firefighters and do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Making sure the brave men and women that serve in our fire departments have the resources they need has always been a top priority of mine. These funds will allow our local heroes to continue their important work of keeping the community safe.”
“This is a major investment that will provide Syracuse firefighters with access to state-of-the-art training equipment,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This funding will provide firefighters with the training they need to develop the skills necessary to handle more emergencies and save more lives.”
“In order to continue to provide lifesaving services to the people of Syracuse, our local firefighters must have the best training possible,” said Rep. Maffei, who worked with FEMA to help secure this grant. “If a fire starts in one of the more than 40 high rise buildings within the City of Syracuse, it is imperative that our local firefighters have the proper training to respond effectively. This important funding will allow members of the Syracuse Fire Department to get the experience they need in a safe, realistic setting.”
“I’d like to thank Rep. Dan Maffei’s office in assisting us with this AFG grant,” said Syracuse Fire Department Deputy Chief of Special Operations Mark Zoanetti. “We will be starting a recruit class within a week and this funding will be an extremely important asset to us.”
The AFG program is a competitive grant program to help firefighters and other first responders enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and to obtain critically needed resources, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training to improve the capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.
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