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

Tim Balk

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.).

Firefighters on the scene of the deadly fire on East 181st Street in the Bronx, New York on January 9, 2022.
Firefighters on the scene of the deadly fire on East 181st Street in the Bronx, New York on January 9, 2022.


Firefighters on the scene of the deadly fire on East 181st Street in the Bronx, New York on January 9, 2022. (Theodore Parisienne/)

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.

Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured.
Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured.
Broken windows and charred bricks mark the exterior of a 19-story residential building after a fire erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Broken windows and charred bricks mark the exterior of a 19-story residential building after a fire erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured.
Emergency first responders remain at the scene after an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reports indicate over 50 people were injured.
Emergency first responders remain at the scene of an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Emergency first responders remain at the scene of an intense fire at a 19-story residential building that erupted in the morning on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Firefighters rush to medics with a small child rescued from a burning building on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Firefighters rush to medics with a small child rescued from a burning building on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
A resident of a Bronx, New York, high-rise climbs out of their window during a fire Sunday. New York City firefighter Matt Zimpfer, 45, a Hellertown native and Saucon Valley High School graduate, was among the first responders helping rescue people.
A resident of a Bronx, New York, high-rise climbs out of their window during a fire Sunday. New York City firefighter Matt Zimpfer, 45, a Hellertown native and Saucon Valley High School graduate, was among the first responders helping rescue people.
Firefighters hoist a tower ladder to rescue people through their windows in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Firefighters hoist a tower ladder to rescue people through their windows in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
A Firefighter carries a rescued baby during a massive fire in an apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
A Firefighter carries a rescued baby during a massive fire in an apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
People can be seen yelling and signaling for firefighters from a window during a massive fire in an apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
People can be seen yelling and signaling for firefighters from a window during a massive fire in an apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
An injured person is brought down on a ladder after firefighters rescued them from an apartment blaze on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
An injured person is brought down on a ladder after firefighters rescued them from an apartment blaze on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Firefighters hoisted several ladders to rescue people through their windows during a massive apartment fire on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Firefighters hoisted several ladders to rescue people through their windows during a massive apartment fire on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
Thirty people, including several children, were critically injured, with firefighters making dramatic rescues using tower ladders and ladders, after a fire broke out inside a third-floor duplex apartment at 333 East 181st St. in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. At least 19 people, including nine children, died in the blaze, according to officials.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. At least 19 people, including nine children, died in the blaze, according to officials.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. At least 19 people, including nine children, died in the blaze, according to officials.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. At least 19 people, including nine children, died in the blaze, according to officials.
New York City Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. At least 19 people, including nine children, died in the blaze, according to officials.
New York City Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro addresses the media in the aftermath of a deadly fire at a 19-story building on Jan. 9, 2022, in the Bronx borough of New York City. At least 19 people, including nine children, died in the blaze, according to officials.

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.

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