As reported by the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senators Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have announced a federal allocation of $665,310.24 for fire departments across Upstate New York.
The funds, provided through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), will be used to supply protective gear, training, and other essential resources to nine fire departments in the region.
Senator Schumer stated: “Brave firefighters across Upstate NY, from Oriskany to Olcott, risk their lives to protect our communities so we need to do all we can to provide them the resources they need to be well trained and well protected.”
He highlighted the importance of these funds in enhancing the safety and preparedness of firefighters throughout Upstate New York.
The allocation includes a variety of fire departments across different counties.
In the Mohawk Valley, the Village of Oriskany received $71,426.66, and the Madison Fire Department was awarded $27,857.14.
In the Hudson Valley, the Lumberland Fire Department in Glen Spey was granted $63,659.80.
The Capital Region’s Speigletown Fire District in Troy received $89,523.80.
In the Southern Tier, the Dryden Fire Department and the Town of New Berlin were allocated $95,233.33 and $14,794.28, respectively.
Western New York saw the largest share, with $140,529.52 going to the Upper Mountain Fire Company of Lewiston, $127,428.57 to the Olcott Fire Company, and $34,857.14 to the St Johnsburg Fire Co in North Tonawanda.
These awards follow an earlier announcement this month of nearly $1.5 million in federal funding for additional fire departments across New York State.
Senator Schumer, who played a key role in creating the AFG and SAFER programs, noted that these initiatives have delivered nearly $700 million to firefighters in New York since their inception.
Last month, the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law, extending federal grant programs to ensure the continued safety of firefighters and communities.
Schumer emphasized the critical role of these grants in addressing budget shortfalls and high operational costs faced by fire departments, particularly in Upstate New York.
He remarked that AFG grants have been instrumental in equipping fire departments with modern tools and resources needed for effective emergency response.
The AFG program, administered by FEMA, awards competitive grants to fire departments that align with the program’s requirements and priorities.
This funding aims to enhance the operations and safety of fire departments through professional training, wellness programs, and the procurement of personal protective equipment and facility upgrades.
Senator Gillibrand highlighted the broader impact: “This federal funding will provide firefighters from the Mohawk Valley to Western New York with the new equipment, training, and resources they need to stay safe as they respond to emergency situations.”
She reiterated her commitment to securing resources for New York’s fire departments.
