Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $645,000 in federal funding for the Akron Fire Company. These federal dollars will be used by the Akron Fire Company to recruit additional first responders. The funding is allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.
“This is a great investment for Akron,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal investment will help improve the fire department’s ability to respond and keep families safe. I will continue working to ensure our first responders have the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
“The Akron Fire Company is honored to receive this Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response grant through FEMA,” said Keith Hochreiter, Recording Secretary/Grants Manager, Akron Fire Company. “The difficulties in recruitment and retention for rural areas, such as Akron, have been well documented throughout the years. This grant will help to attract new recruits by providing college scholarships, and retain membership by helping our members meet educational needs for their families, as well as continue their own education. The Akron Fire Company would like to thank Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, and all of the local Congressmen who continue to support the emergency service organizations both here in Western New York and across the State.”
The SAFER program, established by DHS, is part of an effort to help fire departments across the country increase the number of firefighters in our communities, including re-hiring those that lost their jobs during the economic crisis. This program awards federal funding to fire departments to help them provide round-the-clock staffing to their communities from dangerous fire-related hazards.