Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced on August 19 nearly $6.5 million in federal funding for fire departments across New York State. The funding will be used to help recruit, hire and train firefighters and provide protective gear and supplies to emergency personnel across 38 fire departments.

The Quassaick Bridge Fire District (New Windsor Fire Department) and Vails Gate Fire Company are both recipients of funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The Quassaick Bridge Fire District will receive $73,600; the Vails Gate Fire Company, $200,000.

Vails Gate Fire Chief John Rindt explained that most of the funding would go towards recruitment and retention, mainly used for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Funds will also go towards an existing social media coordinator position, as the department is looking to maximize its social media presence.

Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and SAFER grants are both administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide 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. Overall funding for AFG grant recipients is $5.4 million and funding for overall SAFER grant recipients is $1.1 million. Two other Hudson Valley fire organizations are receiving AFG grants -- the West Nyack Fire Engine Co. No. 1 and City of Yonkers.

“From Lockport to Lisle, brave firefighters risk their lives on the front lines every day to protect our communities,” said Schumer. “This almost $6.5 million will help fire departments across upstate NY recruit, hire, and train firefighters and provide them with the protective gear and supplies they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. I stood with firefighters across upstate NY to push for the reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER programs because I know how important it is for our first responders to be prepared. I’m grateful that the AFG and SAFER programs are now continuing to deliver results for upstate NY.”

“Every day, New York’s firefighters work tirelessly to defend our communities,” said Gillibrand. “This federal funding will help fire departments across upstate New York recruit, hire, and train new personnel, as well as acquire the necessary equipment, training, and resources to respond to emergency situations. I’m proud to deliver this funding and will continue fighting for New York fire departments and working to ensure they are well-equipped for both their safety and that of our communities.”

The awards come after the senators announced several rounds of AFG and SAFER funding earlier this year, sharing that millions of dollars in federal funding is on the way for additional fire departments across the state. Schumer, who helped create the AFG and SAFER programs, said that since their inception, these programs have delivered almost $700 million to firefighters across New York.