New York State receives FEMA grant for crude-oil fire training

The New York State Academy of Fire Science has been awarded a $500,000 federal grant to support crude-oil fire training for first responders, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced late last week.

The funds were administered through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). The grant marks the third consecutive year that the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control has been awarded the funds, according to a press release issued by Cuomo's office.

The most recent grant award will be used for a hands-on live fire training prop that will teach firefighters how to respond to an incident involving crude oil and other ignitable liquids.

The training reflects the state's ongoing efforts to prepare for and respond to challenges posed by the transportation of crude oil by rail and water across the state, state officials said in the press release.

"This funding will provide our firefighters with the highest level of training and ensure they have the tools they need to tackle these very dangerous emergency situations," said Cuomo.

Each year, the academy trains more than 6,000 emergency service providers from across the state in more than 130 courses.