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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2008

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $67,000 IN DHS FEMA EMERGENCY RESPONSE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING IN WESTERN NEW YORK

Nearly $900,000 in CEDAP for Equipment, Equipment Training, and Technical Assistance for Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders Across Upstate New York; Depew, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga, and Gowanda to Benefit

Schumer: Equipment Will Enhance Responders' Preparedness, Help Protect Communities

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded equipment and training worth $897,195 to Upstate New York emergency response agencies under the fiscal year 2008 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). Law Enforcement Agencies and Emergency Responders across Western New York will receive a total of $67,570.  The Depew Police Department has been awarded $14,000, the Lackawanna City Police Department is receiving $3,785, and the Gowanda and Cheektowaga Police Departments have been allotted $8,000 each. Since the program’s inception in 2005, DHS has provided roughly 6,800 CEDAP awards worth more than $120 million to support all hazards response capabilities in smaller jurisdictions around the country.

“This is great news for our emergency responders in Western New York,” said Schumer. “These grants provide funding for essential equipment and training that will strengthen our responders’ preparedness by equipping them with the tools they need to protect our communities, and themselves, during an emergency.”

Eligibility for CEDAP is limited to law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other emergency responder agencies with specific financial and capability needs.  FY 2008 CEDAP funds equipment and training in five categories: extrication devices; thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools; chemical, biological and radiological detection tools; information technology and risk management tools; and vehicle tracking tools. 

Funding will be used by the Depew Police Department to purchase a dTective, a system to use with CCTV, DVR, in-car camera, multiplexed VHS, and surveillance video clarification.  It is a combination of hardware and software for processing, analyzing, and managing multi-media evidence.

The Lackawanna City Police Department will use its money to purchase a Night Vision Kit, a low light amplifying kit that provides a lightweight solution for night vision. 

The Gowanda and Cheektowaga Police Departments will use the money to purchase a Mini Thermal Monocular (MTM) which assists in the detection, recognition and identification of potential suspects or victims.  It also provides increase safety through better situational awareness, and can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and search and rescue.

The FY 2008 CEDAP complements the department’s other major grants programs.

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