NORTH SYRACUSE — U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) recently announced that the Village of North Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department will receive $146,178 in federal funding.
The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The funding will allow the North Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department to boost firefighter recruitment and retention.
“These federal funds will allow the North Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department to bring on additional firefighters and maintain the staffing level necessary to respond safely and effectively to emergencies in the community,” Gillibrand said in a news release.
The SAFER grant program, established by FEMA within the DHS, provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations. It seeks to help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the release noted.
Founded in 1913, the North Syracuse Fire Department says it provides fire protection to the Village of North Syracuse, Town of Cicero, and Town of Clay. The North Syracuse Fire District encompasses 15 square miles and provides protection and rescue services to 25,000 residents.
