U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $531,700 in federal funding for the Akron Fire Company in Erie County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. Specifically, the four-year award will be used to recruit new firefighters and purchase new training equipment.
“Akron’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to serve this community,” said Senator Schumer. “We depend on these local heroes to keep us safe. These federal funds will help ensure that the Akron Fire Company has the manpower and cutting-edge equipment they need to quickly and effectively answer residents’ calls for help.”
“These federal funds will help protect our firefighters in Western New York when they risk their lives, go into harm’s way, and rescue people from deadly fires,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very pleased that this funding was awarded to the Akron Fire Company, and I will continue to fight in the Senate to make sure more of our local fire departments have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.”
“This is a great opportunity for the AFC to increase our membership while retaining current members, provide educational assistance, and purchase training equipment to meet the technological needs for coursework, drills, and physical fitness,” said Akron Fire Company President Keith Hochreiter. “The grant allows the Akron Fire Company to continue to balance fiscal responsibility and the needs of our community we proudly serve. The Akron Fire Company would like to thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Collins for their continued support of the volunteer fire service and the FEMA Fire Act Grant program.”
The Akron Fire Company, originally founded in 1876, is contracted with the Village of Akron and the Town of Newstead to provide fire protection and emergency medical services to over 4200 residents and various businesses in the Akron/Newstead Community. The Akron Fire Company’s 50 members take pride in the delivery of emergency medical services, fire protection, fire control and fire prevention services with a genuine commitment to those they serve.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.