Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) announced today that he helped secure nearly $850,000 in funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) for several fire departments in his District. The AFGP awards will enhance firefighter safety and improve emergency services to the community. Also included in the AFGP awards is regional emergency COVID-19 aid, provided by the CARES Act, the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020.
The fire departments that will benefit from these grants include Oyster Bay’s Atlantic Steamer Fire Company #1, Port Washington Fire Department, Oyster Bay Fire Department, Albertson Fire Department, and Great Neck Alert Fire Company.
“Each year, our local volunteer fire departments answer thousands of calls, saving countless lives and property. Their value to our communities cannot be understated,” said Suozzi. Federal fire grants enhance firefighter safety, improve services to the community, bring federal dollars back to New York State, and will go a long way in ensuring that our fire departments maintain and continue the highest level of service to our communities.”
Suozzi wrote letters of support for all the below-listed grants. The grant applications were prepared by Williston Park-based Grant-Guys Inc.
Oyster Bay’s Atlantic Steamer Fire Company #1 received an AFGP award for 33 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units, each with two cylinders and one facepiece. The SCBAs are for use at fires and hazardous incidents, protecting firefighters from smoke and flame. The total value of the award is $277,000.
Port Washington Fire Department received an AFGP award for 50 portable radios, which represent life or death to firefighters and first responders. The total value of the award is $288,000.
A supplemental and regional AFGP grant of COVID-19 aid was awarded to eight volunteer fire and EMS-based first responder agencies in Nassau County. The award is administered by the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps., and is distributed to eight departments, including four in Congressman Suozzi’s Congressional District: Port Washington Fire Department, Oyster Bay Fire Department #1, Albertson Fire Department, and Great Neck Alert Fire Company. The award will go to the purchase of new personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and suits for responders. Additionally, it will also be used to reimburse first responders for expenses they had previously incurred during the pandemic, such as cleaning supplies and sanitizers.
This first-of-its-kind supplemental aid program was funded by the CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. The bill recognized the significant expense and danger that our nation’s first responders were placed in during the pandemic. The value of this award is $283,000 and represents the largest AFGP COVID-19 aid award in New York State to date.
In appreciation of the efforts put forth by the volunteers and first responders over the past months in dealing with the pandemic, Grant-Guys Inc. waived its usual fee associated with successful awards.
