Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $328,500 in federal funding for the Rochester Fire Department. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). They will use the funding to purchase a new advanced, life-like training system for firefighters.
“These much-needed federal funds will help the Rochester Fire Department invest in the training system they need to do their jobs effectively and save lives,” said Senator Schumer. “Making sure the brave men and women that serve in our fire departments have the resources they need has always been a top priority of mine. These funds will allow our local heroes to continue their important work of keeping the community safe.”
“This is a major investment that will provide Rochester firefighters with access to state-of-the-art training equipment,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This funding will provide firefighters with the training they need to develop the skills necessary to handle more emergencies and save more lives.”
“On behalf of the people of Rochester, I want to thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for putting safety first. This grant will allow the Rochester Fire Department to purchase state of the art training equipment that will help to save lives not just here in Rochester, but throughout the region. We are very grateful for this support,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren.
“I join Mayor Warren is expressing our deep appreciation to our Senators,” said Rochester Fire Chief John Schreiber. “With this grant, the Rochester Fire Department (RFD) is able to purchase the Advanced Disaster Management Simulator (ADMS). This system will be utilized to provide immersive hands-on incident command training to all RFD Fire Officers, Technical Rescue Specialists, Hazardous Materials Technicians and Firefighters in current departmental policies and procedures. The simulator utilizes scenario-based software and networked work stations, where players act and react to situations based on their strategic and tactical decisions. This enables fire department members to gain valuable practical experience in a simulated learning environment that will enhance their decision making processes. Further program development of the ADMS system will bring this interactive training to fire departments throughout the region as we work with Monroe Community College in program development and facility location.”
The Rochester Fire Department has over 500 members who serve more than 200,000 residents. They will use the federal funding to purchase a new hands-on training system for firefighters.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.