Local cities navigate ending of COVID firefighter funding
Jordan Kim
Jordan Kim
Reporter · Albany, NY
Jordan Kim has spent 3 years reporting on local government issues in Albany with a focus on transparency and accountability. A graduate of Ithaca College, he also contributes to various political blogs and has experience with local advocacy organizations.
More from Jordan →Reporter · Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 10:15 PM · 1 min read
While COVID created challenges for people to complete their everyday lives, for local municipalities, it created a job shortage in essential areas, including firefighters. Years after the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER grant, was awarded in the Capital Region, officials are now dealing with the funding coming to an end. In Troy, Mayor Carmella Mantello says the funding was used to hire 14 new firefighters.