Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Federal Fire Grants for Three Long Island Fire Departments

Jul 5, 2012

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that Lynbrook, Rockville Centre Fire Departments and the Great Neck Alert Company will receive grants totaling  $1,481,472 in Round 9 of the FY11 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program- Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). Lynbrook will receive $115,555, Rockville Centre will receive $865,225, and Great Neck Alert Company will receive $500,692. SAFER awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards and improve the nation’s overall level of preparedness.

“With these funds, Long Island Island residents can rest easy knowing even more firefighters stand at the ready to protect their community,” said Schumer. “This investment will help ensure that our local heroes have the personnel on their team to work as efficiently and effectively as possible to save lives.”

“This is an important investment for Long Island Fire Departments,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is our responsibility to ensure that our first responders have a safe working environment and adequate personnel so they can respond to emergencies efficiently and effectively.”

Schumer was a sponsor of the legislation that led to the creation of this funding program for local governments and fire departments to help defray the rising costs of equipment and fire prevention. The Operations and Firefighter Safety Program funds can go towards training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

The goal of the SAFER grant program is to enhance the ability of grantees to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire related hazards. The objective of the program is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters, and to rehire firefighters who were laid off due to the economy.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security 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.firegrantsupport.com/ .