Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $66,719 in federal funding for the Arlington Fire District. These federal dollars will be used by the Arlington Fire District for equipment vital to improve EMT services for patients. The funding is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“This is a great investment for Poughkeepsie,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal investment will help improve first responder capabilities and the care they provide so we can save more lives. I will continue working to ensure our first responders have the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
“We are very happy to have the support of our local and federal government,” said David Violante, Assistant Director of EMS, Arlington Fire District. “These funds will be used to replace an arcane paper medical reporting system with an electronic one that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of patient care. We will be enabled to improve the quality of care our paramedics and EMTs provide, enhance the transfer of care to hospital personnel, monitor patterns of illness for reporting to health officials and participate in the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS).”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, established by DHS and FEMA, is a competitive grant program that 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 will also help provide emergency response training to firefighters.