U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $530,661 in federal funding for the Village of Medina Fire Department in Orleans County. The Medina Fire Department is the largest in the county, responding to more than 2/3 of the fires in Orleans County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. This funding will allow the Village of Medina Fire Department, to hire 4 new firefighters, and support the department’s “Fast Team,” who are responsible not only for fires in Medina but also address fires outside of their district within Orleans County. The funding will also help Medina staff engines with more than two people.
“Whether it’s a fire, flood, car accident, or when disaster strikes, we depend on these local heroes to keep us safe, and they depend on us to give them the resources they need to do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding will allow the Village of Medina Fire Department to grow its ranks and will help ensure that the Village of Medina Fire Department can respond to any situation quickly and efficiently. I’m proud to announce this grant and will continue working to make sure New York’s first responders have what they need.”
“These federal funds will allow the Village of Medina Fire Department to hire additional firefighters, which will improve response time and help keep our communities safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Every day our first responders risk their lives to protect us, and I will always fight in the Senate to make sure our local fire departments have the support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
“The addition of these positions will add to our operational readiness . Enhancing our ability to provide Fire and Emergency medical response to the Village of Medina and the Greater Orleans County area. The safer grant program has a direct effect on public safety and is the kind of bi-partisan program that reach everyday people on a personal level,” said Medina Fire Chief Tom Lupo.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.