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.
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