Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $445K In Federal Funding For Four Fire Departments In Western New York

Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $445,421.89 in federal funding for four fire departments in Erie and Cattaraugus Counties to purchase new breathing equipment. Specifically, the Village of Depew Fire Department will receive $14,246.66, the Memorial Volunteer Fire Company Of Chaffee-Sardinia NY, Inc. will receive $150,175.23, the Town of West Seneca Fire Department will receive $200,000, and the Randolph Fire Company, Inc. will receive $81,000. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG).

“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 in Western New York and across the state are our local heroes and our first line of defense for safety and security—it is critical that we do all we can to ensure that they are well equipped and prepared to take on any emergency.”

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day while protecting their communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to announce these funds for fire departments in the Village of Depew, Town of Sardinia, Town of West Seneca, and Town of Randolph. This investment will allow these fire departments to purchase critical equipment to help first responders breathe clean air as they keep communities in Western New York safe. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that our local fire departments have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.”

“The Depew Fire Department would like to thank FEMA for considering us for this much needed funding. This grant will be used to upgrade our aging cascade system that is used to fill our air bottles. Without this funding the Village of Depew would not have been able to afford this,” said Scott Wegst, Captain/Past Chief, Central Hose Company #4 of the Village of Depew Fire Department.

“Our fire chiefs have completed a department risk assessment, which identified the need for Rapid Intervention-Rescue Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and the replacement of our SCBA as our highest life safety priority and need. Without these most basic tools, we will not be able to provide services safely. The RIT-SCBA is necessary to continue with our current fire rescue mission, while protecting the health and safety of our firefighters. Properly equipped firefighters can perform at their maximum potential, while minimizing the risk of personal injury or death, and better protect lives and property in our community,” said Gerald J. Whittington Jr., Assistant Fire Chief/Training Officer and Emergency Manager, Memorial Volunteer Fire Company of Chaffee-Sardinia NY, Inc.

“The Randolph Fire Company will use funds received from the AFG program to replace their entire inventory of 12 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and 24 air bottles. Randolph’s current SCBAs have become unsafe per current standards and no longer can be repaired as parts are not available due to the age of the equipment. This grant will replace these SCBAs with new packs that meet current NFPA standards for function and safety to protect our firefighters as they volunteer their time protecting the Randolph community and surrounding area when requested for mutual aid assistance,” said David Senn, Assistant Chief, Randolph Fire Company, Inc.

A breakdown and description of the federal grant awards for Western New York may be found below.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 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. The funding will be used to support the operations and safety of fire departments, which could include providing professional training, purchasing wellness programs equipment and personal protective equipment, and upgrading facilities and supplies. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be found here.

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