U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $16,629 in federal funding for the Brier Hill Fire District in St. Lawrence County to purchase new equipment to respond to emergencies more effectively. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) Grant Program.
The Brier Hill Fire District will use this federal investment to purchase 45 new pagers for fire personnel. The funding also covers a programmer to calibrate the pagers and will set the pagers to function on 3 different radio channels for better communications between first responders and dispatch while on scene of an emergency.
“It is critical that we provide local emergency personnel and first responders with the funding they need to keep our citizens safe and do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense — it is crucial that the Brier Hill Fire District be able to communicate effective in order to do their important work and save lives.”
“We must ensure that our first responders who put themselves in harm’s way have the most up-to-date equipment they need to help save lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Brier Hill Fire District will use this funding to purchase critical equipment that will help enhance communications between first responders and dispatchers during emergency situations. I will continue to push for funding that helps keep our first responders safe as they do their job protecting our community.”
“With this much needed equipment we will be able to respond effectively, and won’t miss any calls as with our current faulty equipment.” said Brier Hill Fire Chief Shawn Macaulay, “We will also be able to monitor on 3 different channels for much better communications between dispatch, and also while on scene. Without this great program many departments would not be able to purchase this much needed equipment.”
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.firegrantsupport.com/.