Letter to Secretary Johnson - New Training Simulator Boosts The Safety Of Both Albany Residents And Courageous Firefighters

Letter

Dear Secretary Johnson:

I am pleased to write in support of the Albany Fire Department's request for funding under FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Such funding will enable the Albany Fire Department to purchase a mobile firefighter training simulator.

The Albany Fire Department has a long history of successful emergency response, and much of their success comes from the significant amount of time their members spend training for various emergency situations. Unfortunately, the Department does not currently have a dedicated training facility within Albany, and as such is forced to rent a training facility outside of town. The acquisition of a mobile firefighter training simulator will not only provide an opportunity for advanced hands-on training for the Department's firefighters, but will eliminate the need to pay rental fees for an outside training facility.

With funding, a mobile firefighter training simulator will greatly improve the hands-on training for department members by providing live fire training within city limits. Such training allows firefighters to better address fire behavior, ventilation practices, bail-out safety procedures, search and rescue, and fire suppression. It is essential for firefighters to be able to practice the skills they need to respond to and resolve emergencies, and a mobile firefighter training simulator will provide an ideal avenue for the Department to do just that. I applaud the Albany Fire Department for their foresight and sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Grants Director, Marissa Emanuel, in my Washington Office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

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