N.Y. congressional lawmakers press for $5 million federal grant for FDNY

Three Democratic congressional lawmakers called on the federal government to fulfill a $5 million grant request for the New York City Fire Department, as they highlighted the toll this month’s deadly Bronx blaze took on the nation’s largest firefighting force.

The grant would help FDNY replace oxygen devices and “enhance the safety of firefighters,” said a letter dated Tuesday and signed by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

The Fire Department requested the grant on Dec. 9 and has not received a response, according to Torres’ office. Schumer’s office said it spoke directly with FEMA about the grant application.

The federal agency said it expects an announcement on its grant decisions this summer.

“We are acknowledging receipt of the Congressional support letter for FDNY’s application for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant,” FEMA said in a statement. “The AFG application period is open until the end of this week.”

The agency has distributed Assistance to Firefighters Grants across two decades. It awarded a $2.3 million grant to the New York City Fire Department in 2018, according to FEMA records.

A $5 million grant would represent a particularly large sum for the program.

Torres’ office said the congressional push was intended to spotlight the harrowing Bronx fire on Jan. 9.

During the blaze, firefighters raced to rescue families and tame the flames as their oxygen tanks ran out, authorities said.

The smoky Fordham Heights inferno, sparked by a malfunctioning space heater, killed at least 17 people, including eight children. It was the deadliest fire in the city in more than three decades.

“FDNY must be given all the resources needed to combat any sized fire, which is why it is paramount for FEMA to provide the FDNY their requested funding,” said the letter from the three lawmakers.