Schumer Reveals: Upstate New York Fire Departments Could See Steep Cuts in Federal Funding - Grants Fund New Equipment, Training & Ensure Adequate Staffing at Fire Departments

Press Release

Under 2012 House Passed Spending Bill, New York Firefighter Grant Programs Set to Lose Big Chunk of Funding That Has Brought Millions Into Upstate Communities

New County-By-County Report Details The Over $41 Million Upstate NY Has Received In The Last Two Years

Schumer: Firefighters Put Everything On The Line For Us, We Need To Have Their Back

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer revealed that under the recently passed 2012 House Homeland Security Appropriations bill, New York fire companies stand to lose about seventeen percent of their grant funding for Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grants and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants that fund the purchase of new equipment, training, and the hiring of new firefighters. Under these drastic cuts, Upstate New York fire departments that have benefitted from millions in grants under these two programs will have a tougher time purchasing state-of-the-art breathing apparatuses, new trucks and other equipment that is essential to keeping them safe, as well as find it more difficult to recruit firefighters. Since FY 2009, Upstate New York departments have benefitted from over $41 million in AFG and SAFER funding. At a time when so many county and local governments are strapped for cash, Schumer believes that these proposed funding levels are insufficient and could put public safety at risk. Schumer helped pass the legislation that created the AFG program, and today pledged to oppose these cuts and fight to ensure that New York fire departments get the funding that they need and deserve. The cuts are strongly opposed by New York firefighter groups including the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs and the New York State Professional Firefighters Association.

"Firefighters are our first line of defense in an emergency, but just as we count on firefighters to help protect us, they count on us to provide them with the funding they need to hire new firefighters, buy equipment, and provide the best possible training," said Schumer. "When they put everything on the line and charge into a fire, they need to know that their equipment will perform, and that they have enough fellow firefighters with them to get the job done. Making sure that our fire departments have the tools they need to keep us safe is absolutely essential, and I'm going to do everything I can to protect this critical program that has benefitted hundreds of Upstate communities."

"It would be very disappointing to see such severe cuts to the AFG and SAFER programs," said Mike McManus, President of the NYS Professional Firefighters Association. "The AFG program has provided our members with state-of-the-art equipment from safety harnesses to turnout gear to breathing apparatus that saves the lives of firefighters and helps us save lives and property. Many of our locals have benefitted from the SAFER program, which helps municipalities reach adequate staffing levels for safe and efficient firefighting. Cuts to either program would have an immediate negative impact on the fire service. We applaud Senator Schumer for fighting for these programs, as he always has. We are very fortunate to have Senator Schumer representing us because he has a true grasp on what is needed to provide adequate fire suppression and emergency services."

"Today's demands on fire departments outweigh those of just 10 years ago," said Tom LaBelle, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. "Programs such as AFG and SAFER ensure that departments are prepared for emergencies. Waiting until disaster strikes to provide support is a dangerous gamble with the lives, property and economic infrastructure of our citizens and country."

Under the Fiscal Year 2012 budget that passed the House of Representatives:

Nationwide AFG programs would see a cut of 17%, or $70 million, from $405 million to $335 million.

Nationwide SAFER programs would see a cut of 17% or $70 million, from $405 million to $335 million.

Total Nationwide AFG and SAFER grants would be cut by 17% or $140 million compared to FY 2011, from $810 million to $670 million.

Schumer said these cuts would pose a grave threat to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) that provides funding to local fire departments to help them improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations. These include specialized emergency training for response to situations like terrorist attacks; enhancement of emergency medical services programs; development of health and safety initiatives; establishment of fire education and prevention programs; creation of wellness and fitness programs; and equipment and facility upgrades.

Schumer said that the House budget cuts would also drastically hamper the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program that is intended to support the hiring of firefighters and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. SAFER grants are administered to enhance the ability of grantees to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. The objective of the Hiring of Firefighters activity is to award grants directly to volunteer, combination, and career fire departments to help the departments increase the number of frontline firefighters. The objective of the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters activity is to enlist and/or retain volunteer firefighters who are trained in the operations of firefighting and emergency response.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs are administered by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the Department's United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program's priorities and demonstrate financial need. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at www.fema.gov/firegrants.

Schumer helped create the original Grants to Firefighters Program, co-sponsoring legislation in 2001 that led to its establishment. This program was passed with bi-partisan support including Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT,) Senator John McCain (R-AZ,) Senator Susan Collins (R-ME,) and many others. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program was established to provide funding to career and volunteer fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical services providers to help with the rising costs of equipment, vehicles and training. Schumer also co-sponsored the 2004 re-authorization, which set full funding levels for the program at $1 billion in FY 2007.

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