Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $900K For Nassau Fire District

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Nassau County is slated to receive over $900,000 in federal funding for firefighting recruiting and tuition assistance, according to a release from Sen. Chuck Schumer's office.

The funding, totaling at $901,900, comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.

Nassau County is set to receive $860,400 and the Levittown Fire District will get $41,500. The latter will use the funding to purchase an electric sign, the release says, meant to spread information to the community in case of an emergency.

Nassau County's Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Steven Morelli said in the release that the fire service is grateful. "Our plan is to advertise the benefits of fire service and EMS membership to our residents and provide college tuition assistance at Nassau Community College to help encourage recruitment," he said.

"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," Schumer said, according to the release.

"This funding will allow Nassau County to recruit more firefighters, which will help local fire departments ensure a speedy and effective response to any emergency; and it will allow Levittown Fire District to alert the community in the event of an emergency," he said.

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand lauded the funding as well. "I am happy to announce this funding for Nassau County and the Levittown Fire District," she said.

"This federal investment will help add new firefighters to the Levittown Fire District’s team, and purchase critical equipment to help keep residents in Nassau County safe. I will always fight in the Senate for the resources that our communities need."

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran the "critical" funding will help to retain firefighters and purchase essential safety equipment.

According to the release:

The SAFER grant program was established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is 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. More information can be found here.