Staten Island, NY – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today $123,460 dollars in federal funding for the New York Fire Patrol, Inc. (NYFP) to provide comprehensive fire prevention training, safety education, home safety inspections, and smoke alarm installations for Staten Island families, particularly seniors and children. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our families and businesses safe, and organizations like the New York Fire patrol play vital role in fire safety by preventing disasters before they happen,” said Senator Schumer. “By providing Staten Island families with resources and training that will promote fire prevention, this vital funding will help the New York Fire Patrol keep Staten Island families and seniors out of harm’s way.”
“The New York Fire Patrol has a tenure marked by bravery, service and sacrifice,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help the New York Fire Patrol train and equip Staten Island families with critical fire prevention tools and safety measures. I will continue working to ensure that our first responders and community residents have the tools and resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Arnold Roma, President of the New York Fire Patrol, said, “On behalf of the fire patrol we are very thankful. This grant will allow us to begin the Keith Roma Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which will target seniors, teaching them fire prevention and what to do in an emergency.”
The NYFP was established in 1803, serving people throughout New York City during and after fires, natural disasters and water emergencies. Since the organization was disbanded in 2007, the number of fire-related injuries in Staten Island and Brooklyn have jumped from 13 in 2007 to 47 in 2009. Spearheaded by retired NYPD Police Officer Arnold Roma, whose son Fire Patrolman Keith Roma, was killed in the line of duty on 9-11, it has since been reincorporated as a nonprofit.
Federal funding will go towards the organization’s fire prevention and education program, aimed at reducing the number of fire-related injuries and deaths in Staten Island through training and education. As part of the program, residents will be encouraged to sign up for free home safety inspections and smoke alarm installations.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, established by DHS and FEMA, is part of an effort to increase the nation’s emergency response preparation. This program provides federal funding to first responder organizations for the acquisition of personal protective equipment, firefighting vehicles, and emergency response equipment. The funds also help provide emergency response trainings.