NEW YORK STATE — U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday, September 28 announced $13,230,088.46 in federal funding for dozens of fire departments across Upstate New York. 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 (FEMA)’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs, which Schumer helped create; according to Schumer's office, the senators fought hard to preserve and fund the programs. 

“Every day, our first responders risk everything to keep families safe and protect communities across Upstate New York. This more than $13.2 million in federal investments will put critical resources directly into the hands of firefighters—from New Rochelle to Syracuse to Buffalo—helping them stay safe and giving them what they need to do their jobs when it matters most,” said Senator Schumer. 

“Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We owe it to them to ensure that they have the resources and personnel they need to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible."

Fire departments that received funds include:

• Woodridge Joint Fire District: $97,478.09
• Woodridge Joint Fire District (with a seperate provision of money): $52,378.09

Schumer helped create these programs and has championed program reauthorization and increased funding levels. In 2024, Senator Schumer led to passage the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, extending funding for the AFG and SAFER programs through Fiscal Year 2030.

Schumer explained that the AFG and SAFER programs have been a lifeline for fire departments and have become essential to their continued operations because they often face budget shortfalls and high costs, hindering their ability to purchase the modern equipment they need to respond to emergencies and keep firefighters safe. These programs have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars for firefighters and first responders across New York.

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, providing funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need.