Every year, Chuck commits to traveling to all62 counties in New York to meet with constituents.
On November 25th 2015, at Niagara Engine 6 in Schoharie, NY, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer launched his push to increase funding for grant programs for firefighters, which help localities across Schoharie County and all of Upstate New York purchase new equipment, protective gear and emergency vehicles, as well as recruit and hire new firefighters. Schumer said local fire departments throughout New York State apply for and rely upon these federal funds, which are administered through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant programs. Schumer said these two programs have seen decreased funding since 2011. Therefore, Schumer urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to include a combined $810 million for both programs in the FY 2016 appropriations bill, an increase of $130 million from FY 2015 funding.