Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $57,000 in federal funding for the Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Department to replace an outdated brush-truck used by the department in the Town of Pierrepont and more remote sections of northern New York. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“This is an important investment for the Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Department,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Our first responders need up-to-date equipment so they can respond to demanding situations quickly, safely and effectively. This federal grant will not only ensure that the Town of Pierrepont is better protected during emergencies, but will also benefit surrounding communities with limited access to firefighting resources.”
“We are delighted with the good news,” said Kenneth Eurto, the Chief of the Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Department. “This grant will help my department handle the tough terrain involved in wild-land fighting. Both our firefighters and citizens will benefit from the more efficient response to these difficult scenes.”
The funding will be used to replace a 33-year-old brush truck to extinguish fires in wilder, less-developed areas of town as well as more remote sections of northern New York. The new truck will help the department fight fires more efficiently and help reduce the department’s mounting maintenance costs.
Hannawa Falls Volunteer Fire Department, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, employs 40 men in the Town of Pierrepont. On average, the department responds to 115 calls annually, and is responsible for approximately 40 square-miles of and 2,500 residents.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, is part of an effort to increase the nation’s emergency response preparation. This program provides federal funding to first responder organizations for the acquisition of personal protective equipment, firefighting vehicles, and emergency response equipment. The funds also help provide emergency response trainings.