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.

Letitia James

State Attorney General Letitia James is providing warnings and tips to consumers and businesses to protect themselves against potential cybersecurity threats that may develop due to the crisis in Ukraine.

While there is currently no active cybersecurity alert, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has encouraged consumers and businesses of all sizes to ensure they are taking appropriate measures to protect their systems. The State Office of Attorney General has previously investigated issues relating to cybersecurity and provided guidance to both consumers and businesses about how they can best protect themselves from cybersecurity threats.

The OAG recommends businesses use bot detection systems, multi-factor authentication, and strong password requirements for most accounts. They also recommend developing processes to manage software updates, limit employee access to systems according to their job functions, maintain the security of remote access to company systems, and identify and manage security vulnerabilities. Businesses also should implement antivirus software and technical safeguards to filter emails likely to be phishing attempts, and train employees on phishing and other potential scams.

Additionally, Attorney General James recommends consumers safeguard their online accounts against cybersecurity threats by protecting passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, watch out for online scams, regularly run antivirus software, keep software updated, and take notices of suspicious activity seriously.

The funding will be used to provide protective gear, training, and supplies to emergency personnel. This federal funding was administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

Local departments receiving funds include Kiantone receiving $108,133; Fredonia will receive $220,000; Frewsburg will receive $108,095; and Forestville will receive $34,761.

On Wednesday Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the State Board of Elections—in concert with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—will host a first-of-its-kind series of tabletop exercises focused on protecting the integrity of New York’s electoral systems against cyber-attacks.

Partnering with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police, and State Intelligence Center, the tabletop exercises will identify areas for improvement in cyber incident planning, preparedness, and response through simulation of realistic scenarios attempting to undermine voter confidence, interfere with voting operations, and affect the integrity of elections.

Chautauqua County Board of Elections commissioners Brian Abram and Norm Green, along with Chautauqua County Information and Technology Director Jon DeAngelo, will be attending one of the exercises, scheduled for June 6 in Monroe County.

Others are also scheduled at other locations across the state throughout the month of June.

According to the county board of elections, the county has been working directly with the FBI, state Police and state Board of Elections continuously since 2016 to protect county voter records, election night result postings and the actual election results.

John Plumb (D-Lakewood)

JAMESTOWN – The Democratic candidate for Congress says he’s disappointed with his opponent coming out in support of GOP presidential front runner Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Jamestown native and congressional candidate John Plumb (D-Lakewood, NY) told WRFA that Congressman Tom Reed’s endorsement of Trump makes it clear to him that the Corning Republican fully supports Trump’s reckless rhetoric that makes our country less safe.

“Donald Trump is a danger to America’s national security,” said. “Everyday that he’s running for president he’s putting our military men and women at risk. The man has no concept of what U.S. national security requires. He’s espousing torture as an interrogation method, even though military and analysts alike say it does not work and it creates more enemies. He is threatening to use military force to target civilians, which is clearly in violation of any law of armed conflict. He would force our military men and women to choose between defending the constitution and following his orders. He is completely unfit to serve as commander in chief.”

While Plumb said Reed’s endorsement of Trump is unsettling, he also said that it’s not surprising. He said that Reed himself has threatened national security by voting to shut down the Department of Homeland Security, rather than extend funding for it, in March 2015.

“Western New York and the Southern Tier deserves a leader who will put region before politics, especially when it comes to protecting our national security – unlike Tom Reed,” Plumb said. “As someone who has defended this country under the water, in the Middle East and at the highest levels of national security, my highest priority is keeping Americans safe. That’s what I’ve done my entire career and what I will continue to do in Congress.”

In response to Plumb’s criticism of his endorsement, Reed told regional reporters on Monday that what Trump brings to the table is a vision to keep America safe and getting people back to work.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

“As I watched the results come in [during the state presidential primaries], there’s millions of Americans joining that effort and I think it’s time to unite, on the Republican side in particular, to ensure we don’t have four more years of continued failed policy that Hillary Clinton would bring to the table.”

Plumb will be the likely challenger to Reed’s bid for a fourth term in office during this November’s general election. Over the past two decades he’s served as a submarine officer in the Navy and later as an official at the Department of Defense. Most recently he’s served as director of defense policy and strategy at the National Security Council and is also a Navy Reserve Commander. He graduated from Randolph High School in 1988.

Reed is a former mayor of Corning who was elected to Congress in 2010 and has represented Chautauqua County since January 2013 when redistricting created the new 23^rd congressional district. He does have one person challenging him for the Republican nomination. Gary Perry, of Waverly, NY, announced his intentions to challenge Reed during a Twin Tiers Tea Party meeting earlier this month. The date for the state primary for non-presidential candidates is June 28, 2016.

The nine people arrested during the April 2, 2014 drug sweep in Jamestown: (Top L to R) Alberto Acevedo, Luis Acevedo, and Hector Colon; (Middle L to R) Roberto Morales Sanchez, Daniel McKay and Wesley Riley; (Bottom L to R) Leslie Rodriguez, Robin Riley, and Brooke Weinert.

JAMESTOWN – Nine people have been arrested after a major drug sweep by local authorities focusing on the sale and distribution illegal narcotics in the Jamestown area.

According to Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson, the Jamestown Police Department worked with New York State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to execute seven separate search warrants in the city, beginning Wednesday morning. The sting operation was the result of several month-long, joint investigation into the trafficking and selling of heroin and cocaine in Jamestown.

City police conducted searches at:

• 228 E Second St.
• 100 E. Eighth St.
• 711 Cherry St.
• 129 Fairview Ave.
• 3 Forest Park
• 614 Spring St.
• 200 Willis St.

According to Samuelson, police were able to seize a large quantity of heroin, cash, drug paraphernalia including syringes, weapons and prescription medications at six of the seven locations – although specific amounts for each location were not listed. In addition, officers seized cocaine, cash and 31 marijuana plants at the Cherry St. residence.

Facing various charges were:

• 24 year-old Alberto Acevedo and 46 year-old Luis Acevedo (both of 228 E. 2nd St.);
• 40 year-old Hector Colon Rodriguez (3 Forest Park);
• 45 year-old Morales Sanchez and Leslie Rodriguez (614 Spring St.);
• 20 year-old Daniel McKay (129 Fairview Ave.);
• 35 year-old Wesley Riley, 56 year-old Robin Riley, and 20 year-old Brooke Weinert (711 Cherry St.).

Other arrests could be taking place after further investigation at the Willis St. and Eighth St. locations.

The nine face various charges ranging from criminal possession of illegal drugs to criminal possession of a weapon. In addition, the three suspects arrested at Cherry St. also face charges related to illegally growing and possession marijuana.

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The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.