Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $61,332 in federal funding for the Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department to fund fire prevention programs to help engage and educate the community on the importance of everyday fire safety. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program.
“This is an important investment that can help families in Montgomery County safe,” Senator Gillibrand said. “We need to make sure that families have the basic necessities needed to keep their homes safe. This federal grant will help the Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department distribute tools to encourage fire safety and fire prevention.”
“The Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department is humbled and honored to receive this Fire Prevention and Safety grant award to help improve our educational programs not only in the Village of Hagaman and the Town of Amsterdam but throughout our neighboring communities as well,” said Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department Chief Donald Reksc. “Our department is currently able to provide educational programs to about 1800 children and adults annually. Through the use of this award, we’ll be able to purchase a new safety trailer that will also allow us to accommodate students we currently haven’t been able to include such as disabled and special needs students. We’re very excited for the opportunity to extend our program further to our communities.”
The Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department will use the federal funding to provide educational programming to community members in order to raise awareness about fire prevention and safety in the region.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant FP&S Program, established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to target high-risk populations and reduce injury and prevent death.