Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2005

Schumer Announces Over $85,000 For Frontier Volunteer Fire Company In Federal Grants

Schumer: Two Emergency Response Programs Across New York State will Receive Over $164,000 as Part of U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Grant Program

Schumer says Federal Grant will Help Fire Departments and Organizations pay for Improvements During Difficult Fiscal Times

Schumer has Pushed for Additional Funding for Assistance to Fire Departments and First Responders

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that Frontier Volunteer Fire Company has received a federal grant of $85,500 from the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grant, which is part of the fourteenth round of DHS FY05 grants to thousands of fire departments throughout the country, will be used for Operations and Safety

“This funding will go a long way in supporting the Frontier Volunteer Fire Company,” said Schumer. “We can never truly repay our firefighters and first responders for their heroic efforts and dedication to duty. However, we can ensure that they have the training, equipment and resources they need to do their job well. This is even more necessary when local budget cuts are leaving them without enough funding. This federal money will help make sure that firefighters in Niagara Falls get the resources they need to keep us safe.”

Schumer was among the first senators who recognized the need for the federal government to establish a funding program for local governments and fire departments to help defray the rising costs of equipment and fire prevention. Since its inception in 2001, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has delivered over $117 million to New York’s fire departments.

Schumer found that the Administration’s cut to the program in their federal budget for FY05 could shortchange New York emergency response programs by $16 million. In response, Schumer urged the Congress and White House to bolster the Administration’s proposal by sending the full $900 million originally promised by Congress.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) assists local fire departments in programs and activities to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations through specialized emergency training for response to situations like terrorist attacks; enhancement of emergency medical services programs; development of health and safety initiatives; establishment of fire education and prevention programs; creation of wellness and fitness programs; and equipment and facility upgrades.

“This grant ensures that the firefighters in Frontier Volunteer Fire Company continue to have the basic resources they require to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives” said Schumer. "Local fire departments have been strained from budget cuts, rising costs of equipment and stress from being on heightened alert because of the war on terrorism. These funds are truly a life saving investment will that provide local fire departments with essential resources and support, so they can be better prepared for emergencies.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security 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.

###

Resource Center