Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $286,380 in federal funding for the New Hackensack, Beacon, Beekman, Pleasant Valley and LaGrange Fire Districts to upgrade their communications system and improve interoperability to help them respond to emergencies more effectively. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“This is an important investment for firefighters in Dutchess County,” Senator Gillibrand said. “It is critical that our fire departments across the county can communicate with each other as they respond to emergencies. This federal grant will help update their equipment so our first responders can respond quickly, effectively and safely to emergencies in our communities.”
New Hackensack Fire District Richard Andersen said, “We are very pleased to receive this funding. It will allow us to update our communications system, including mobile and portable radios and pagers. The new equipment will improve interoperability and enable us to meet compliance requirements.”
The five Duchess County fire departments are supported by 350 firefighters and cover an area of over 125 square miles. They will use the federal funding to purchase upgraded mobile and portable radios, radios and pagers.
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.