U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer discusses Fire Grants and Safety Act (March 2, 2023)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is sounding the alarm on the potential elimination of federal funds for firefighters.

Schumer said the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program are only authorized through the end of September 30, 2023, “This would devastate upstate New York fire departments that uniquely depend on this program, ripping away millions from communities to hire new firefighters, purchase life-saving equipment, and much more. So, I’m here to sound the alarm and to announce my push to lead the effort to save these critical federal firefighters programs with a new bill. It’s called the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023.”

Schumer said the act would reauthorize the U.S. Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program through 2030. The bill also extends the sunset for both SAFER and AFG from 2024 to 2032. He said the bill would increase the authorization for the U.S. Fire Administration by about $20 million, while maintain the authorized funding level for SAFER and AFG at $750 million.

Schumer said since the start of these programs in 2002, the grants have delivered nearly $700 million in federal funding to NY firefighters, including over $23 million in federal funding last year alone.

Last month, the Jamestown Fire Department received $1,816,201 from these programs to hire 8 new firefighters and $284,291 to purchase new radios and a rope bailout system.

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are both administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide competitive 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 $1,816,201 SAFER, or Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The funds will fully cover the cost of the eight new hires for three years, with no cost share from the City. Jamestown was one of three New York state departments awarded SAFER grants in this round of funding, which also included Fulton and New Rochelle. Last week, city officals announced the receipt of a $284,000 Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant for new radios and rope bailout system.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said in a statement that one of his top priorities has been “..to enhance staffing and equipment in our public safety departments… These awards will help improve responsiveness, increase fire protection, and increase EMS coverage for all Jamestown residents and businesses. I would like to thank my friend Senator Schumer, who has been a tireless advocate for increased public safety resources in communities like Jamestown, for his support which made this award possible.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency totals $284,291. City Council had approved adding $14,000 to the 2023 Budget for the purchase of a new bailout system.

The grant will now fully cover the cost of the new items, with no cost share from the City.

Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon said the new radios will allow firefighters to more easily communicate with mutual aid agencies and Chautauqua County EMS. The new bailout system will replace an older bailout system that is now considered obsolete. Coon said these are an essential part of a firefighter’s arsenal, as it can provide a firefighter with the capability to make a quick and rapid escape from a fire when standard methods of departure – via stairs, elevator, or a ladder – are not possible.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is calling for more funding for grant programs for firefighters, which help localities across Upstate New York purchase new equipment, protective gear and emergency vehicles, and recruit and hire new firefighters.

According to the Senator’s office, Fire departments throughout New York State apply for and rely upon these federal funds – which are administered through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant programs – but funding for these two programs has decreased since 2011.

As a result, Schumer is calling on 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.

Schumer says the grant programs are extremely important to many fire departments in Upstate New York that are already strapped for cash, and it is critical Congress provide more resources to the brave men and women who keep our communities safe.