Funding Will Be Used to Help Recruit New Firefighters and Implement Fire Safety Community Outreach

Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $78,000 in federal funding for the West Hempstead Fire District in Nassau County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program (SAFER) and will be used to help recruit firefighters through an outreach program. Specifically, the West Hempstead Fire District plans to use the funding to improve its online and social media presence to recruit young people to become firefighters. The West Hempstead Fire District also plans to expand its print outreach initiatives by creating pamphlets on fire safety and recruitment.

"Whether it's a fire or any other emergency, we depend on these local heroes to keep us safe, and they depend on us to give them the resources they need to do their jobs effectively," said Senator Schumer. "This funding will allow West Hempstead Fire District to recruit more firefighters and educate the public on fire safety, which will help local fire departments ensure a speedy and effective response to any emergency. I'm proud to announce this federal investment, and will continue fighting to make sure that fire departments across Long Island have the tools and resources they need."

"I am proud to announce this funding for the West Hempstead Fire District, which will help recruit the next generation of first responders and educate the community on fire safety," said Senator Gillibrand. "Our hardworking firefighters are the first line of defense when responding to local emergencies, and this funding will help keep our communities safe. I will do everything I can in the Senate to ensure that our local fire departments have the resources they need."

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program (SAFER) is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency 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. The funding is used to hire and retain firefighters so that fire departments can be staffed at all times. More information on the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program can be found here https://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants.

Read this original document at: https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gillibrand-announce-78k-in-federal-funding-for-the-west-hempstead-fire-district-in-nassau-county