Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $66,604 in federal funding for Wilton Emergency Squad in Saratoga County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to begin competency and scenario based training for emergency squad members. The funding will also be used to purchase life-like adult simulators that can be programmed to have various ailments a paramedic would encounter.
“Our EMS volunteers are tasked with one of the most difficult jobs–arriving first on the scene of an accident and caring for a patient while on the way to the hospital,” said Senator Schumer. “This is a critical time and first responders should have all of the tools and resources they need to adequately prepare for any situation they might encounter. These funds are an investment in preparation for the life-saving work our local heroes do.”
“This is such an important investment for the community,” Senator Gillibrand said. “The Wilton Emergency Squad is first on the scene when there is an emergency and I am happy they will get the funding they need to develop the skills necessary to handle more medical situations and save more lives.”
“On behalf of the dedicated men and women of Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. we wish to say thank you for affording us this funding opportunity. This will be key to our continued success moving forward. Without this funding opportunity we would not be able to provide this level of training to our providers,” said Nashua Alexander, Chief of Operations.
The Wilton Emergency Squad is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization that serves the town of Wilton in northern Saratoga County. They are made up of more than 50 members who respond to more than 1,600 calls per year. The Wilton Emergency Squad will use this federal funding to train members of the squad with life-like, fully operational human simulators, which allows trainees to make and correct clinical errors without the adverse consequences of on-the-job scenarios. In addition to responding to emergencies, the Wilton Emergency Squad offers a fire and emergency career exploring service for teens and young adults aged 14 to 20 which exposes students to a career in the field of emergency services and inspires young adults to become outstanding citizens within their communities.
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.