(Washington, DC): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) announced today that East Greenbush Fire District #3 will receive $36,460 in federal funds from the 2005 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The FP&S grant will be used for the purchase of "Sparky's Hazard House," a large portable interactive fire safety education unit, which includes presentation and educational materials for the public. The East Greenbush Fire Company will sponsor a seminar for Rensselaer County fire companies on "Risk Assessment" for the safety of firefighters and their communities.

McNulty said, "I commend the East Greenbush Fire District on earning this award -- the second federal fire grant for which they have successfully applied within the last year. The planned risk assessment seminar will be the first of its kind in Rensselaer County, and it will benefit not only those providing firefighting and emergency services, but all residents throughout the county as well."

The congressman added, “It is important to remember that our first responders put their lives on the line -- day in and day out -- to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens in our communities. We should all take a moment to thank our firefighters and other first responders, and their families, for their sacrifice and service."

Last fall, the East Greenbush Fire District #3 was awarded $173,169 in federal funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program for the purchase of forty-one state-of-the-art self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.

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