Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $62,000 in federal funding for the Seneca County Office of Emergency Services to purchase new smoke detectors to be distributed to low-income families with children in the region. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program.
“This is an important investment that can help save lives of children and families in Seneca County,” Senator Gillibrand said. “We need to make sure that families that are struggling in this tough economy have these basic necessities in their homes to help keep them safe in times of emergency.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity to provide smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for seniors and income eligible families in Seneca County,” Charles McCann, Director of Emergency Services of Seneca County said. “Smoke detectors provide the single most cost-effective tool for saving lives in the event of a fire. We would not be able to do this without FEMA and the Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Program.”
Robert W. Hayssen, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Seneca County, said, “This grant enhances the safety of our county residents. Both Charlie McCann, our Emergency Services Director and Peter Brown, our Grantwriter, have done a great job in acquiring this grant. It just may save a life.”
The Seneca County Office of Emergency Services will use the federal funding to purchase 1,500 smoke detectors that will be distributed to low-income families in the region, with priority going to families with children. The smoke detectors will be distributed by all the fire departments, code enforcement department, and human services in Seneca County.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant FP&S Program, established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to target high-risk populations and reduce injury and prevent death.