SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $6.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS UPSTATE NY

Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $6,451,148.56 in federal funding for fire departments across New York State. The funding will be used to help recruit, hire and train firefighters and provide protective gear and supplies to emergency personnel across 38 fire departments. This federal funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs, which the senators fought hard to successfully preserve and fund earlier this year.

“From Lockport to Lisle, brave firefighters risk their lives on the frontlines every day to protect our communities,” said Senator Schumer. “This whopping almost $6.5 million will help fire departments across Upstate NY recruit, hire, and train firefighters and provide them with the protective gear and supplies they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. I stood with firefighters across Upstate NY to push for the reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER programs because I know how important it is for our first responders to be prepared. I’m grateful that the AFG and SAFER programs are now continuing to deliver results for Upstate NY.”

“Every day, New York’s firefighters work tirelessly to defend our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding of over $5.6 million will help fire departments across Upstate New York recruit, hire, and train new personnel, as well as acquire the necessary equipment, training, and resources to respond to emergency situations. I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue fighting for New York fire departments and working to ensure they are well-equipped for both their safety and that of our communities.”

The announcement includes $5,363,456.56 for AFG grant recipients and $1,087,692.00 for SAFER grant recipients.

A list of funding recipients can be found below:

These awards come after the senators announced several rounds of AFG & SAFER funding earlier this year, sharing that millions of dollars in federal funding is on the way for additional fire departments across New York State. Schumer, who helped create the AFG & SAFER programs, said that since their inception, these programs have delivered almost $700 million to firefighters across the Empire State.

Earlier this year, Senator Schumer applauded the signing of the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which extends the AFG and SAFER programs, to help keep firefighters and communities safe. Schumer explained that the AFG and SAFER programs have been a lifeline for fire departments across the state and has become essential to their continued operations. Fire departments, especially those in Upstate New York, often face budget shortfalls and extremely high costs that mean they cannot purchase the modern equipment they need to combat emergencies and keep firefighters safe. Schumer said that AFG and SAFER grants have positively benefited fire departments in every corner of Upstate New York. Thanks to Senator Schumer and his colleagues’ Fire Grants and Safety Act, NY firefighters will continue to receive the federal support they need to purchase lifesaving equipment and hire more firefighters throughout Upstate NY.

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are both administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide competitive 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.