Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2010

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $70,000 IN FEDERAL FIRE GRANT COMING TO NORTH TONAWANDA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Funding Comes From DHS SAFER Grant Program That Promotes and Maintains Adequate Staffing and Training at Volunteer Fire Departments

Schumer Has Continually Pushed for Funding to Assist Fire Departments and First Responders

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the North Tonawanda Fire Department will receive a federal grant totaling $71,136 in round 16 of the fiscal year 2009 (FY09) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. SAFER awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are designed to strengthen the response programs of fire departments throughout the country by promoting and maintaining 24-hour staffing, particularly in volunteer fire departments

"This federal money will help the North Tonawanda Fire Department recruit and maintain competent staff that are capable of quickly and safely responding to emergencies in the area,” said Schumer. “These funds will also guarantee that our local heroes have the training, equipment and resources they need to do their job well and that North Tonawanda residents are well protected

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program is part of Round 16 of the AFG Program and are intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. SAFER grants are administered to enhance the ability of grantees to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. The objective of the Hiring of Firefighters activity is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. The objective of the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters activity is to create a more favorable working environment for volunteer firefighters. The primary focus of this activity is to enlist and/or retain volunteer firefighters who are trained in the operations of firefighting and emergency response.

The firefighter grant programs are 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. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/

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