Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $23,643 in federal funding for the Village of DeRuyter. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to purchase 2,700 feet of new fire hoses and six nozzles. Senator Schumer wrote a letter to DHS Secretary Johnson and Senator Gillibrand wrote a letter to Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate in support of the department’s application.
“These much-needed funds will allow the DeRuyter Fire Department 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 Village of DeRuyter,” said Senator Gillibrand. “When our first responders go into harm’s way, it’s our job to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to save lives. I am pleased the fire department will get funding for critical up-to-date equipment that will help them continue to serve their community.”
“Our plan is to replace aging fire hoses and to upgrade equipment,” said Village Trustee and five-year volunteer member, Travis Marshall. “We will get new nozzles with larger diameters, which will allow us to access more water for the fire faster and easier.”
The Village of DeRuyter Fire Department has been in existence since 1833 and now has more than 35 all-volunteer fire fighters serving 500 residents of the Village and over 1,500 of the Town. They will use the federal funding to purchase 2,700 feet of new fire hoses that they would otherwise be unable to afford. This new fire hose will help the Village of DeRuyter Fire Department comply with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Response Framework.
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.
Full text of Senator Schumer’s letter to DHS Secretary Johnson and Senator Gillibrand’s letter to FEMA Administrator Fugate are attached.