Using nearly $7.6 million federal grant SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Fire Department will be able to hire up to 20 new firefighters after it was awarded a federal grant of nearly $7.6 million. The funds will cover 100 percent of the salary and benefits of the newly hired firefighters for three years. The FEMA grant […]
Using nearly $7.6 million federal grant
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Fire Department will be able to hire up to 20 new firefighters after it was awarded a federal grant of nearly $7.6 million. The funds will cover 100 percent of the salary and benefits of the newly hired firefighters for three years. The FEMA grant is the largest the department has ever been awarded, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) said in their announcement. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, the lawmakers said. “FEMA’s SAFER Grant will aid the Syracuse Fire Department in providing more efficient services to meet the needs of a city growing in population and new housing, increasing safety in our neighborhoods,” Syracuse Chief of Fire Michael Monds said in the announcement. “This grant will also better support those firefighters who serve our city bravely, protecting our community and those who live in it. I thank Senator Schumer for his continued attention to the needs of our department and city.” Specifically, this grant will provide $7.59 million to hire 20 new firefighters. “The Syracuse Fire Department has earned a reputation as one of the best fire departments in the nation. The SAFER and FEMA AFG Grants will help ensure our city has the appropriate staffing and training to meet the demands of a growing city,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in the announcement. “I thank Senator Schumer for his commitment to public safety and emergency services response for the people of the city of Syracuse.” Schumer and Gillibrand have previously secured more than $5 million for the Syracuse Fire Department through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and SAFER grant programs, including $1,991,532 in August 2016 to hire 12 new firefighters. The Syracuse Fire Department was also awarded a SAFER grant for 12 firefighters in 2020 as well, per a separate announcement on the grant funding from the City of Syracuse. This latest award comes after the lawmakers announced several rounds of AFG and SAFER funding earlier this year for fire departments across upstate New York. Schumer, who helped create the AFG and SAFER programs, said that since their inception, these programs have provided almost $700 million for firefighters across the Empire State, per Schumer’s office.
Programs extended
Earlier this year, Schumer applauded the signing of the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which extends the AFG and SAFER programs, to help keep firefighters and communities safe. Schumer explained that the AFG and SAFER programs have been a “lifeline” for fire departments across the state and have become essential to their continued operations.” Fire departments, especially those in upstate New York, often face budget shortfalls and high costs that mean they cannot purchase the modern equipment they need to combat emergencies and keep firefighters safe. FEMA administers the AFG and SAFER grant programs to provide 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. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that “most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need,” per Schumer’s office.