Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $30,134 in federal funding for the Rushville Hose Company to purchase a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“This is an important investment for the Rushville Hose Company,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line on behalf of our safety, and we need to make sure they have the right tools on the job. This grant will help them give them the resources they need so they can operate safely and efficiently, and save more lives.”
Former Rushville Hose Company Chief Jim Santee said, “The money will be used to buy one SCBA which will be able to be used by surrounding fire departments as well so that they do not have to go to Penn Yan or Canandaigua to get their bottles filled anymore.”
The Rushville Hose Company will use the federal funding to purchase a new SCBA to refill air supplies directly on site, instead of having to travel to other fire departments to refill their air bottles. In addition to serving the Village of Rushville, the Rushville Hose Company also serves the Town of Potter and the Town of Gorham, a community of approximately 1,300 people. The Rushville Hose Company is supported by 28 volunteer firefighters.
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.