Elmira City Council approves $1M Fire Dept. grant, robot purchase for EPD SWAT Team

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Elmira City Council voted to approve two resolutions Monday night, one to accept a grant of more than $1M for the fire department, and another to purchase new SWAT robots for the Elmira Police Department.

The City Council voted to accept the SAFER Grant.  The grant is for $1,365,672, coming from federal funding.  The money will support hiring four new firefighters for a three year period.  A firefighter will be added to every shift with the help of this money.

"With rising calls and additional strain on department resources, this grant will allow the department to add additional staff to operate safely and effectively. We are hoping to use the additional staff to add a rescue truck to our first due response. This apparatus would offer additional specialized tools and equipment, a quicker response, and cut down on wear and tear on our larger apparatus," said Elmira Fire Chief Andrew Mallow.

The council also unanimously voted to approve the purchase of three robots for EPD's SWAT Team.  The robots will be bought with LETECH grant money.  According to EPD Chief Kristen Thorne, each robot will serve a different purpose.  One will be able to sweep under doors and check if a room is clear before officers go in.  Another will be able to sweep the second floor of buildings, and the third will be able to search a house and clothing.

"I think that any time that the SWAT team goes out on barricaded subjects, any tactical call, we could utilize these robots and again keep us safe and then keep, obviously, in turn, keep the city residents safe," said Chief Thorne.