Northern Westchester Hospital lost power for roughly 70 hours when Superstorm Sandy hit New York in October 2012, which left the hospital relying on its backup generators as its primary power source and left patients at a potential risk.
The disaster boosted support for the FEMA grant from U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, who urged FEMA to provide this critical funding.
“This critical FEMA funding will help provide much needed resources to facilitate electrical system improvements at Northern Westchester Hospital,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “Superstorm Sandy devastated our communities and these funds will help secure the hospital, giving peace of mind to the thousands of New Yorkers that it will be ready for an emergency and can withstand the next storm.”
The FEMA grant — the largest grant in the hospital’s history — will help upgrade the emergency electrical system to a Type 1-Essential Electrical System, which is necessary to significantly strengthen the hospital’s emergency power systems.
The funding covers roughly 75 percent of the total cost of the project. Reinvested hospital operating revenue will cover the remaining amount.
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