Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2012

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $74,000 FEDERAL GRANT FOR NORTH TONAWANDA FIRE DISTRICT; INVESTMENT TO RECRUIT NEW FIREFIGHTERS

Funding Comes From Schumer- Supported DHS SAFER Program That Promotes Effective Firefighting Operation

North Tonawanda Fire Will Use Funds to Offer Training and Incentives to Bring New Firefighters On Board

Schumer Has Relentlessly 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 grant totaling $74,069 in Round 9 of the FY11 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program- Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). SAFER awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards and improve the nation’s overall level of preparedness. Specifically, North Tonawanda Fire Department will use funding to offer trainings and other incentives to grow the department.

"With these funds, North Tonawanda residents can rest easy knowing even more firefighters stand at the ready to protect their community,” said Schumer. “This investment will help ensure that our local heroes have the personnel on their team to work as efficiently and effectively as possible to save lives.”

Schumer was a sponsor of the legislation that led to the creation of this funding program for local governments and fire departments to help defray the rising costs of equipment and fire prevention. The Operations and Firefighter Safety Program funds can go towards training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.

The goal of the SAFER grant program is 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 program is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters, and to rehire firefighters who were laid off due to the economy.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants 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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