West Nyack and Yonkers fire departments getting $1.35M in federal funds for enhancement

The West Nyack and Yonkers fire departments will get slices of $6.5 million in federal money to assist 38 departments across New York state with expenses for equipment, recruitment and training.

The West Nyack volunteer department has been earmarked for $549,500, while the paid Yonkers city department will receive $807,545, according to U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The Democrats on Monday released details of the grants through two programs. The funding is administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant, known as AFG, and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, known as SAFER.

The SAFER Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to increase, hire, or maintain the number of trained firefighters. The AFG Program provides funding to equip and train emergency personnel.

Yonkers and West Nyack applied for funding under the AFG Program. The senators said 38 fire departments will get grant money through the competitive programs.

“From Lockport to Lisle, brave firefighters risk their lives on the frontlines every day to protect our communities,” Schumer said. "I stood with firefighters across Upstate NY to push for the reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER programs because I know how important it is for our first responders to be prepared."

Schumer, the Senate majority leader, helped create both programs.

Outside of paid firefighters in cities and urban areas, 93% of fire responders across the state are volunteers and those departments save taxpayers an estimated $4.7 billion a year, according to a 2023 study by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York .

Rockland's estimated 1,900 active firefighters save taxpayers $50 to $60 million annually as unpaid first responders, county fire officials have said.

Gillibrand said the money "will help fire departments across Upstate New York recruit, hire, and train new personnel, as well as acquire the necessary equipment, training, and resources to respond to emergency situations."

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal

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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: West Nyack and Yonkers fire departments getting $1.35M in federal funds for enhancement