Democratic U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says he has spoken directly with the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency about a grant application from Newburgh.
New York’s senior senator says he urged FEMA Administrator Brock Long to review and fund the City of Newburgh Fire Department’s grant application for the SAFER, or Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response, program. It’s the city’s third application in a process where officials say receiving funding after the first time is unusual. Without a third round of funding, Newburgh faces having to lay off nine firefighters after the City Council voted to fund three positions. The second round of SAFER funding expires July 31. Schumer urged Long to consider the impact Newburgh’s firefighters have had on the city and surrounding areas for the last few years.
