Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced today $18,315 in federal funding for the Binghamton Fire Department to purchase new protective equipment to respond to emergencies and medical care more effectively. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
“This funding will help equip the Binghamton Fire Department with the tools necessary to save lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue working to ensure that our first responders and community residents have the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
The Binghamton Fire Department will use the federal funding to acquire two new outboard motors for their boats and two new personal protective equipment or masks for air packs. The department employs 125 paid uniform fire-fighters and three civilian employees.
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.