FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2004
SCHUMER: OVER $64,000 COMING TO BARNARD FIRE DEPARTMENT
Schumer announces that 2 fire departments across New York State
will receive over $140,000 as part of FEMA’s FIRE GRANT program
Schumer says federal grants will help Barnard fire department pay
for fire operations, fire safety, and fire prevention in tough fiscal
times
Schumer urged local fire departments across New York State
to participate in FIRE GRANT program back in April after Congress
more than doubled the amount of money available in the program
US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced over $64,000 in federal
funds for the Barnard fire department to pay for fire operations
and fire prevention. The funds are being awarded through the Assistance
to Firefighters program administered by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA).
“This is a great day for the Barnard fire department,”
said Schumer. “In the brave new post-9/11 world, our first
responders must be well trained and well equipped to deal with any
problem that comes their way. This is really difficult when budget
cuts are leaving them short on cash. These federal grants will help
make sure that firefighters have the money they need to do their
jobs.”
At the beginning of April, with the deadline for submitting fire
grant applications only weeks away, Schumer called on fire departments
across New York State to apply to the program, reminding them that
last year New York State fire departments received $14.6 million
from the federal fire grant program. Schumer’s effort was
especially important because Congress more than doubled the amount
of money available under the fire grant program from the year before.
The $64,800 grant for the Barnard fire department is part of 81
grants awarded to fire departments across the country with more
rounds of awards to come. Two fire departments across New York State
received grants this round.
Schumer helped write the original legislation creating the Assistance
to Firefighters Grant program in 2001. He also played a central
role in preventing the Bush Administration from eliminating funding
for the program from the 2001 budget. Because of its dramatic success
in improving fire safety across the country, Congress has continually
raised the amount of money available in the program, increasing
it from $100 million in 2001, to $350 million in 2002, and finally
to $750 million in 2003.
"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 fire-related 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 hiring
additional firefighting personnel; 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.
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