Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $5.8 Million In Federal Funding For Emergency Operation Upgrades In The Town Of Brookhaven

Oct 16, 2017

Long Island, NY – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,870,613.20 in federal funding for the Town of Brookhaven. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to upgrade emergency operations and enhance emergency response capabilities in the community. Specifically the funding will be used to upgrade the Town’s Command and Control (Emergency Operations) Center and purchase emergency response, and communications equipment.

“With these funds, the Town of Brookhaven can invest in equipment needed to safely respond to emergencies in the community,” said Senator Schumer. “This investment will help Town officials better protect Brookhaven residents in the event of a future storm and I am pleased that FEMA has provided this critical funding.”  

“These FEMA funds will help cover the recent upgrades and emergency equipment needed to safeguard the Town of Brookhaven in the event of future storms,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue to work in the Senate to make sure our communities have all the resources they need to prepare and respond to future storms.”  

“This grant will allow the Town of Brookhaven to perform important upgrades to improve our emergency response, including enhancements to our Emergency Operations center, upgrading of communication equipment and purchase of heavy equipment needed for debris and tree removal,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine. “I want to thank Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer and Rep. Lee Zeldin for securing this funding.”

Full breakdown of emergency response equipment included below:

  • Upgrade the Town’s Command and Control (Emergency Operations) Center
  • Purchase Horizontal Grinder and four mobile wood chippers to clear debris in the event of a storm 
  • Purchase Landing Craft and Push Boat to enhance ability to transport heavy equipment to Fire Island
  • Purchase eight payloaders to assist with debris removal
  • Purchase 10 Portable Light Towers
  • Purchase Chase Dump Trailer and  six dump trucks for debris removal
  • Purchase four Portable Generators
  • Two High Axle Rescue Trucks
  • Purchase Bucket Truck – for tree trimming and removal
  • Purchase 76 – 800 MHZ radios for field staff

FEMA provides funding for infrastructure upgrades under Section 406 of the Stafford Act, the federal disaster law that supplies aid to states and localities to implement long-term resiliency measures after a major disaster. The purpose of these grants is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.