Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $363,672 in federal funding for the city of Utica Housing Authority. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s (AFG) Fire Prevention & Safety Program (FP&S) and will be used to launch the Community Fire Safety Education project. This project will increase smoke alarm inspections throughout the city of Utica and create advanced fire safety educational programs.
“This much-needed funding is great news for the City of Utica, which will be using the federal grant to launch its Community Fire Safety Education project,” said Senator Schumer. “This new program will increase smoke alarm inspections throughout the city and, therefore, encourage residents to keep their families safe by keeping alarms up-to-date. The project will also increase educational programs for children regarding fire safety and ways to prevent fires. This program is an investment in the safety of the entire Utica community and I am proud to have worked with local and federal officials alike to make this project a reality.”
“This investment in fire safety and education training will help save more lives in the City of Utica,” Senator Gillibrand said. “By providing the community with fire safety training, residents will be more equipped to handle emergency situations; and with more smoke alarm inspections, overall safety in the community will be enhanced.”
“As a result of Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand’s acute recognition of the Municipal Housing Authority’s efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of the City of Utica as well as our first responders, the Housing Authority is grateful and appreciative of being awarded a $363,672 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),” said Robert Calli, Interim Executive Director of the Utica Housing Authority. “The grant will be utilized to initiate the implementation of our Community Fire Safety Education project, which includes funding for an enhanced fire safety educational program together with smoke alarm inspections throughout the City of Utica. Without Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand’s staunch support and advocacy, this award would not have been realized. Once again, our Senators have demonstrated their keen interest in our community and, more importantly, commitment to the people of our city.”
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 AFG Program offers grants for activities under Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) in order to reach high-risk target groups and mitigate incidences of deaths and injuries caused by fire and fire-related hazards. 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.firegrantsupport.com/.