SYRACUSE, NY – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Dan Maffei today announced that the Cicero Fire Department has been awarded $233,496 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Cicero Fire Department will use this grant to replace 40 outdated self-contained breathing apparatus with new, modern equipment.
“These much-needed federal funds will enable the Cicero Fire Department to purchase new breathing equipment that will keep firefighters safe and make them more effective during emergency situations,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes—they are our primary line of defense and protect our residents and property. That is why it is crucial that we provide them with the cutting-edge equipment that they need to do their jobs and save lives.”
“Keeping our first responders safe has always been a top priority,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding will allow the Cicero Fire Department to purchase critical, life-saving breathing apparatus to help firefighters keep safe while they serve their communities .”
“It is critical that our local firefighters have the resources and equipment they need to do their jobs safely,” said Rep. Maffei, who hosted a fire grants workshop at the Cicero Fire Department in 2013. “This important funding will ensure that these brave men and women who work hard to protect our community have the modern equipment they need and deserve.”
“I’d like to thank Senators Schumer, Gillibrand, and Rep. Dan Maffei for their work in securing this important grant,” said Cicero Fire Department Chief Jon Barrett. “This investment will ensure that we have the updated equipment necessary to support our work and keep the community safe.”
The AFG program is a competitive grant program to help firefighters and other first responders enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and to obtain critically needed resources, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training to improve the capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.