Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney today announced $243,182 in federal funding for the Warwick Fire Department in Orange County. The funding was provided through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and will be used to replace all of the air packs in the entire fire department, which consists of four companies. The air packs are worn by firefighters to help them breath clean air.
“It is essential that we provide our firefighters with the equipment they need to stay safe on the job,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our first line of defense for safety and security. By allowing the courageous firefighters of the Warwick Fire Department to purchase new breathing equipment, this grant will help ensure their health and safety in any emergency.”
“Firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities, exposing themselves to dangerous conditions in order to keep us all safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding will allow the Warwick Fire Department to upgrade their breathing equipment, which will help protect firefighters as they do their jobs. I will always fight to make sure that our local fire departments have the resources they need to safely and efficiently respond to emergencies.”
“Our firefighters risk life and limb every single day to protect our communities and we have to make sure they have the equipment they need to stay safe while they’re keeping us safe,” said Rep. Maloney. “This investment will make sure that Warwick’s bravest don’t have to worry about running out of clean air while they’re doing their job.”
“The grant will go a long way towards keeping our firefighters safe and help to protect the residents and properties in the Warwick Fire District,” said Warwick Fire District Chairman Frank Corkum.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency 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 found here.