U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $19,334 in federal funding for the Speigletown Fire District in Rensselaer County. The funding was awarded through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Specifically, the funding will be used to purchase a specialty washing machine and dryer capable of cleaning turnout gear, fire hoses and other equipment.
“The men and women of the Speigletown Fire District are local heroes who put their lives on the line every single day in the service of this community,” said Senator Schumer. “They deserve to have top-notch, well-maintained equipment. This federal funding will ensure that their turnout gear is safe and clean as they answer residents’ calls for help.”
“These federal funds will allow our fire departments to maintain the protective equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and safely,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We need to do everything we can to protect the men and women who risk their lives every day in the face of danger, and I will always fight in the Senate to make sure that our fire departments are funded and equipped.”
“The Speigletown Fire District is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the 2015 AFG grant in the amount of $19,334.00 to purchase equipment to clean and dry turnout gear and other equipment,” said Speigletown Fire Chief William Maloney. “This award will help us maintain our gear, one of the largest expenditures we have. Clean gear is safe gear.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration (USFA). The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. Funding is allocated to strengthen the overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.