LaGrange Fire District awarded SAFER Grant
September 14, 2021
For Immediate Release
On March 10, 2021, the LaGrange Fire District applied for a SAFER Grant. Staffing for Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA) focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire related hazards. The SAFER program accomplishes this by providing funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards and attain 24 – hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire related hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments.
The LaGrange Fire District is 1 of 300 Departments Nationwide to be awarded this grant through an extensive application and review process. The SAFER Grant was awarded on September 10, 2021, in the amount of $3,561,143.40. The purpose of applying for the grant is to assist and enable the LaGrange Fire District comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and codes, specifically NFPA standard 1720. NFPA 1720, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations and Special Operations to the Public by Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments.
The LaGrange Board of Fire Commissioners from the time of notification of being awarded the SAFER Grant, have thirty days to consider and reply either for or against receiving the money. Should the money be accepted any hire and subsequent interview process will follow New York State Civil Service Law, standards and regulations. Once a decision is made further information and additional Press Releases will follow.
The Board of Fire Commissioners are still considering the long term implications pertaining to the grant and haven’t come to a decision on accepting the money.
A special meeting to discuss the SAFER Grant in will be held on Tuesday, October the 21st at LaGrange Station 2, beginning at 7 p.m.; 504 Freedom Plains Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12603
For more information contact:
Chief Tim O’Connor
LaGrange Fire District
914-475-4211 Cellular
845-452-4999 Landline