Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Tim Bishop today announced $57,044 in federal funding for Manorville Fire District. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) fill stations.
“These much-needed federal funds will allow the Manorville Fire District to invest in the breathing apparatus fill stations they need to do their jobs effectively and save lives,” said Senator Schumer. “Our firefighters are our local heroes—they protect our residents and our property—and these funds will allow those heroes to continue their important work of keeping the community safe.”
“This is an important investment for the Manorville Fire District,” said Senator Gillibrand. “When our first responders go into harm’s way, we need to make sure they have the right equipment to save lives. The department will use this funding to purchase critical, life-saving breathing equipment that will help keep first responders, and the communities they serve, safe.”
“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has proven to be an invaluable support mechanism for our local volunteer fire agencies, like the Manorville Fire District,” said Congressman Tim Bishop. “The men and women who make up these departments have pledged to leave their homes and their families at any time of the day or night, putting their own safety in jeopardy to help their neighbors. We owe it to them to help ensure they have the equipment needed to keep them as safe as possible.”
“The generous approval of this grant will save an enormous amount of time and cost in sending out our Self Contained Breathing Appliance tanks for refill and will allow us to facilitate interoperability,” said the Board of Fire Commissioners, Manorville Fire District. “This upgrade in equipment will ensure that we extinguish fires quickly and efficiently, and full cylinders will be available when multiple cylinders are needed. Morale will be buoyed and we will be able to ensure the safety, health and welfare of our volunteer firefighters, citizens, critical infrastructure and property at a higher degree and at less cost.”
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/.