Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey today announced $3,997,086 in federal funding for the installation of a permanent and reliable emergency electrical system. The federal funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to offset the cost of rebuilding the emergency power system that made it more reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly. The funding was originally requested in 2012, and this recent award brings the total FEMA funding for this project to $9,417,719.
“When disaster like Superstorm Sandy strikes, we learned that you can’t afford to let the lights go out in hospitals like Northern Westchester. That is why we worked so hard to deliver this vital federal investment to install a permanent and reliable emergency electrical system that will ensure continuity of power during disasters of all types,” said Senator Schumer. Hospitals are even more necessary during times of natural disaster, and the residents of Hudson Valley should be able to depend on their local hospital to continue to provide world-class care even during the most dire of times.”
“This funding will help Northern Westchester Hospital provide better service for Westchester County,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Some of our communities are still dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy; these funds are an essential investment towards building necessary safeguards for when the next storm hits, in order to help maintain proper medical care. I’m proud to announce this funding, and I will always fight to make sure our hospitals have the resources they need to provide the best care possible.”
“Our region’s hospitals provide critical care to communities, and this important FEMA funding will ensure that they will be able to do so when care is needed most,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “With this federal funding, Northern Westchester Hospital will be able to upgrade its power grid and guarantee care even during adverse weather events. After Superstorm Sandy, it is more important than ever that the Lower Hudson Valley’s emergency needs are met.”
FEMA provided this funding through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP 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. The HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.