Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $23,465 in federal funding for the Cortlandville Fire District in Cortland County. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to purchase 2,500 feet of new fire hoses and six nozzles. The hose and its nozzles have reached the end of their reliable life and have begun deteriorating, making the need for new equipment especially acute.
“These much-needed funds will allow the Cortlandville Fire District to invest in the equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and save lives,” said Senator Schumer. “Making sure the brave men and women that serve in our fire departments have the resources they need has always been a top priority of mine. These funds will allow our local heroes to continue their important, life-saving work and keep the community safe.”
“This is such an important investment for the Cortlandville Fire District,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day and it is important to make sure they have the equipment they need to keep families safe. Updating critical equipment helps ensure the safety of the entire community.”
“This Assistance to Firefighters grant will go a long way in helping the Cortlandville Fire District,” said Jared Gebel, Cortlandville Fire Chief. “This replacement hose and nozzles will help protect our firefighters and ensure the safety of the citizens we protect.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.