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SCOTIA, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that Glenville Hill Fire District No. 8 will receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant totaling $190,580.54. Tonko submitted a letter in support of the Fire District’s request for funding, which will go toward efforts to increase volunteer membership, retain new and old members, and provide advanced training.

“Each and every day, our Capital Region firefighters put their lives on the line to protect others,” Congressman Tonko said. “Unfortunately, many of our local departments are facing challenges maintaining the staffing levels needed to provide an adequate response to emergency calls. I’m proud to deliver this funding that will ensure that Glenville Fire District No. 8 is able to attract and retain the personnel they need to keep protecting our families and our communities, and I’ll always keep working to make certain our first responders have the resources and manpower they need to thrive.”

Glenville Hill Fire District No. 8 Fire Commissioner and Board Vice Chairperson Armand Canestraro said, “We are excited to receive this federal grant award; it is a key element and essential part of allowing the District to operationalize our strategy to tap into an unsolicited pool of potential candidates for the volunteer fire service. With the need for recruitment and retention of volunteers at a critical period, this funding will be paramount to our mission.”

Each year, Congressman Tonko and his staff assist numerous local fire departments in preparing their applications for critical federal grants. Today’s announcement marks the seventh round of competitive FY 2021 SAFER award announcements.

The SAFER grant program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities.

You can read the full text of Congressman Tonko’s letter in support of Glenville Hill Fire District No. 8’s funding request HERE.

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