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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that six local fire department have been awarded a total of $559,316 to pay for a wide array of new equipment. Departments receiving funds are the: Lava Volunteer Fire Department in Narrowsburg -- $209,000; Union Center Fire Company -- $124,500; Hurleyville Fire District -- $90.925; Rosendale Volunteer Fire District -- $82,175; Highland Lake Fire Department -- $38,857; and the Danby Fire District -- $13,859. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), will administer the funds, which come from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
"These federal funds will provide our heroic firefighters with the equipment they need to effectively fight fires and protect us, while also keeping themselves as safe as possible," Hinchey said. "When it comes to protecting our first responders and ensuring they have the best equipment needed to safeguard residents and businesses, we must provide every single dollar needed. In addition to providing our firefighters with the equipment they need to effectively and safely fight fires and respond to emergencies, these federal funds will spare local taxpayers most of the cost of this new equipment."
The federal funds will be used for the:
· Lava Volunteer Fire Department -- To purchase a new firefighting vehicle.
· Union Center Fire Company -- To modernize its equipment, including self-contained apparatus (SCBA) units.
· Hurleyville Fire District -- To purchase turn-out gear for 14 firefighters. This safety gear includes self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs and masks. Communications equipment and radios will also be upgraded.
· Rosendale Volunteer Fire District -- To purchase air packs.
· Highland Lake Fire Department -- To bring their safety and personal protective equipment up to current standards. The grant includes money for ten new SCBA apparatus packs, as well as new flashlights.
· Danby Fire District -- New gear for firefighters.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program was created in 2001. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey has worked to secure full funding for the program. He has also sponsored a number of workshops across his congressional district to help fire departments and associations with the grant application process. Hinchey is also the author of the SERVE (Supporting Emergency Responders' Volunteer Efforts) Act, which would provide a $1,000 federal tax credit to individuals who are active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations.
Since the fire grant program started four years ago, more than $7 million in grants have been awarded to fire departments in Hinchey's congressional district.
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