Announcement Includes Federal $$ For Rochester Fire Department, Ridge Road Fire District, And City Of Batavia From AFG Program That Schumer Helped Create
Federal Funding Will Help Save Rochester Fire Department’s Professional Development & Instructor Training Programs; Many Instructors Are At Retirement Age
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Representative Joe Morelle announced $836,279.98 in federal funding for fire departments in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. This critical federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and will be used to provide protective gear, training, and supplies to emergency personnel.
$710,318.39 will go to the Rochester Fire Department to boost training to develop new Instructors and Fire Officers. $65,637.79 will go to the Ridge Road Fire District and $60,323.80 will go to the City of Batavia.
“Brave firefighters in Rochester and across New York risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m pleased that FEMA has allocated over $800,000 in federal funding for fire departments in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. Much of that funding will support the Rochester Fire Department’s professional development programs, which will help ensure that the Department’s retirement-age instructors can pass along their knowledge and expertise via new training programs that will continue to educate the next generation of emergency response professionals. I stood with firefighters across Upstate NY to push to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program so that firefighters in New York and across the country will have the resources they need. I’m grateful that the AFG Program that I fought hard to create and preserve is delivering results for Rochester and Batavia and will continue to work to ensure that Upstate NY first responders have the resources they need to keep themselves and New Yorkers safe.”
“Each and every day, firefighters throughout Rochester and the Finger Lakes work tirelessly and put their lives in harm’s way to protect our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding of over $800,000 will provide them with the new equipment, training, and resources they need to stay safe as they respond to emergency situations and help protect residents in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. I am proud to have helped deliver this funding and will continue working to ensure that New York’s fire departments have the resources they need to defend our communities on the front lines.”
“Firefighters work tirelessly day in and day out to keep our families safe. In return, we must ensure they have the tools and resources necessary to carry out their jobs safely and effectively,” said Congressman Morelle. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to secure this federal funding to support training efforts for our local fire departments. I look forward to our continued work together to strengthen public safety across New York State.”
“This award from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will provide critical resources to further protect the safety of our firefighters during fires and fire-related hazards, which ultimately improves our ability to protect the public,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “I am grateful to our U.S. Congressional delegation, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Rep. Joseph Morelle, for their instrumental role in securing these funds. Their tireless advocacy in Washington is moving us closer to creating a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.”
Last month, Senator Schumer applauded the signing of the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which extends federal grant programs, including the AFG program, to help keep firefighters and communities safe. Schumer explained that this federal program has been a lifeline for fire departments across the state and has become essential to their continued operations. Fire departments, especially those in Upstate New York, often face budget shortfalls and extremely high costs that mean they cannot purchase the modern equipment they need to combat emergencies and keep firefighters safe. Schumer said that AFG grants have positively benefited fire departments in every corner of Upstate New York. Thanks to Senator Schumer and his colleagues’ Fire Grants and Safety Act, NY firefighters will continue to receive the federal support they need to purchase lifesaving equipment and hire more firefighters throughout Upstate NY.
The AFG grant program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program provides competitive funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to purchase essential equipment and help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. Schumer originally created the AFG Program in 1999, which funded the grants that were announced today.