Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced he has secured funding in the 2013-14 budget for several local fire and police units.

The funding provided was allocated through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Grant Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and distributed in the New York State budget.

Departments receiving funding include:

• South Schenectady Fire Department ($10,104) for the purchase of turnout gear and helmets;
• Schenectady Police Department ($11,000) for the purchase of bicycles and a digital camera and lenses for evidence collection; and
• Schenectady Fire Department ($12,886) for turnout gear.

“This Byrne Grant funding will help provide fire and police officials with mission-essential tools they need to keep our families and communities safe,” said Santabarbara. “It will also help ease the burden on local taxpayers who would have otherwise footed the bill for this equipment.”

Schenectady Fire Department Chief Michael DellaRocco: “With budgets shrinking and prices increasing, funding for essential personal protective equipment, including turnout gear, helps keep our firefighters safe without passing the cost on to taxpayers. The City of Schenectady Fire Department thanks Assemblyman Santabarbara for making the safety of our firefighters and communities a priority.”

Schenectady Police Department Chief Brian Kilcullen: “Thanks to Assemblyman Santabarbara, these bicycles will help our officers to patrol areas including Central Park, Hamilton Hill and downtown as more people are out and about as the weather gets warmer. They will also make it easier to talk with business and shop owners for community outreach and work together to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

South Schenectady Fire Department Chief Lloyd Denny: “New turnout gear and helmets will help keep our dedicated volunteers safe, allowing the South Schenectady Fire Department to continue to provide the services our communities depend on. Assemblyman Santabarbara continues to be an ally to fire departments like ours because he knows how important it is to the health and safety of our families.”