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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that the Vestal Volunteer Emergency Squad has been awarded a $29,034 federal grant to help pay for a wide array of new equipment and gear that will better protect the community and allow emergency responders to do their job more efficiently and safely. The funds come from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). This is the first year that the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has been opened up to emergency squads in addition to fire departments.
"This federal grant will pay for new equipment and gear that will help save the lives of residents and emergency responders," Hinchey said. "Ensuring that our emergency responders have the best equipment possible is critical to protecting the public. Every day, Vestal's volunteer emergency personnel risk their lives to keep residents safe. Providing them with this state-of-the-art equipment and gear is the least we can do for these heroes."
The $29,034 federal grant will go towards purchasing protective clothing, emergency equipment, and communications devices for the Vestal Volunteer Emergency Squad.
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 with the grant application process, including two this month. 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 and emergency departments in Hinchey's congressional district.
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