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Washington, D.C. - As part of his ongoing effort to provide firefighters and other emergency responders with the best equipment possible, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that the Callicoon Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $143,602 federal grant to replace and update gear for its firefighters.
"Providing these critical funds for new and improved safety gear is the least we can do for the members of the Callicoon Volunteer Fire Department who risk their lives day in and day out to protect their community and answer their community's calls for assistance without payment for their invaluable service," Hinchey said. "This new gear will better protect firefighters, and in turn, better protect the residents that they serve."
The grant will allow the Callicoon Volunteer Fire Company to purchase new turnout gear, a cascade fill station, new air packs and rescue equipment, in addition to other various items. Marc Sturdevant, Assistant Chief of the Callicoon Volunteer Fire Company said, “This grant will help us ensure better safety for our volunteers and increase the level of protection for our fire district.” He also noted that, “Without Cornell Cooperative Extension’s help, this would not have been possible.”
The grant request was written by Deborah L. Worden, Community Educator of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County. Worden had experience writing an award winning AFG proposal for her local fire company where she lives in Equinunk, PA. After receiving that award, she requested that her Executive Director, Judy Essex, allow her to work with the local departments in Sullivan County with their AFG applications. She conducted a training workshop for more than 15 volunteer fire companies in Sullivan County after participating herself in a workshop sponsored by Congressman Hinchey.
Worden noted, “I am so happy for this company. They have been working so hard, and it is a great boost in morale for a volunteer organization to receive a grant such as this. It is hard to recruit new volunteers if you can’t outfit existing members with the safety equipment needed.”
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).
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey has worked to secure full funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program since its inception in 2001. He has also sponsored annual workshops across his congressional district to help fire departments 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.
All Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Departments are invited to contact Ms. Worden to learn more about grants for which they may be eligible. She can be reached at 845-292-5250.
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