Schumer: Over $1.74 Million Coming To Finger Lakes Region Fire Departments For Fire Operations And Safety

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced over $1.75 million in federal funds for Finger Lakes region fire departments and organizations to pay for fire operations and fire safety. The funds are being awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This is a great day for fire departments in the Finger Lakes, said Schumer. Firefighters and emergency professionals put their lives on the line every day and it is imperative that we do everything we can to provide them with everything they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. These grants are an enormous step in the right direction.

In Livingston County, four grants were awarded for a total of $222,556 for fire operations and safety to the Sparta Center Volunteer Fire Company ($56,953), the Village of Avon ($59,399), the Cuylerville Volunteer Fire Department ($43,817) and the York Volunteer Fire Company ($62,387).

In Monroe County, six grants were awarded for a total of $516,125 for fire operations and safety to the Henrietta Fire District ($80,563), the Barnard Fire District ($69,282), the Lake Shore Fire District ($57,190), the Penfield Volunteer Fire Company ($184,140), the Clifton Fire Department ($35,397) and Bushnells Basin Fire Department ($89,553).

Ten grants for a total of $1,005,604 were awarded to Eagle Hose ($86,173) and the Attica Fire Department ($65,645) in Wyoming County, the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department ($136,031) and the Geneva Fire Department ($111,032) in Ontario County, Rose Fire Company ($90,411) and Sodus Fire Department ($66,904) in Wayne County, Rushville Hose Company ($32,061) and Branchport/Keuka Park Fire District ($217,930) in Yates County, the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company ($120,175) in Orleans County and the Interlaken Volunteer Fire Department ($79,242) in Seneca County to pay for fire operations and safety efforts. The grants were part of the initial round of fire grants in FY05, with more to come.

A Schumer analysis of the Administration's federal budget for FY05 found that cuts to the program could shortchange New York fire departments by $16 million. In March, Schumer urged the Congress and the White House to bolster the Administration's proposal by sending the full $900 million promised to fire departments by Congress.

At Schumer's urging, fire departments and emergency services providers across New York have taken advantage of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which sends funds directly for activities such as specialized emergency response training for situations like terrorist attacks; the creation of wellness and fitness programs for firefighters; equipment and facility upgrades; new fire trucks; and fire prevention programs.

"If ever our local fire departments needed an infusion of cash from the federal government, that time is now," Schumer said. "Budget gaps are worse than they've been in a long time with little relief in sight, and the strain on local fire departments is becoming too much to bear. Add to that the heightened alert our first responders are on because of the war, and this opportunity for fire departments to get financial support is just what the doctor ordered."

The grant program, called the USFA Grants to Firefighters Program, awards grants directly to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of firefighting personnel, facing fire and firerelated hazards.

The USFA awards the grants on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program's priorities and demonstrate financial need. Funding is available for activities such as specialized emergency response training for situations like terrorist attacks; the creation of wellness and fitness programs for firefighters; equipment and facility upgrades; and fire prevention programs.