U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $152,858 in federal funding for the Oneida Fire Department. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The Oneida Department will use this federal investment to replace all of the fire department’s Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or air packs. The current inventory of the department’s SCBAs are over twenty years old.
“It is critical that we provide our fire departments with the cutting edge equipment and breathing apparatuses they need to keep our firefighters safe, so they can do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense – it is crucial provide them with the resources they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”
“The Oneida Fire Department will use this funding to invest in critical equipment that will help keep firefighters safe during emergency situations and be able to carry out their lifesaving work more effectively,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our first responders are on the frontlines during emergencies and should have the most up-to-date equipment as they do their job protecting our community.”
“This grant allows the City to provide it’s firefighters with equipment that is up to today’s standards, is designed to be used in today’s fire environment, and will provide Oneida’s firefighters with the best possible degree of safety for the job that they perform,” Kevin Salerno, Fire Chief, City of Oneida Fire Department. “I wish to personally thank Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for their assistance in obtaining this grant on behalf of the City of Oneida. As Chief of this department, the safety of my firefighters is first and foremost on my list. The awarding of this grant is allowing me the ability to provide them with the necessary tools to effectively do their job while at the same time making it as safe as I possibly can, considering the job they do.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are 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. Funding is allocated to strengthen the overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Funding is allocated to strengthen emergency preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/.