Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $23,736 in federal funding for the Lisle Volunteer Fire Company. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The Lisle Volunteer Fire Company will use these federal funds to purchase new extrication equipment.
“Making sure the brave men and women that serve in our fire departments have the resources they need has always been a top priority of mine,” said Senator Schumer. “This extrication equipment is needed in dire emergencies when our first responders must quickly remove someone trapped in a confined space. These funds will allow our local heroes to continue their life-saving work and keep the community safe.”
“This is a much needed investment for the community,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Lisle Fire Company will use this investment to purchase critical, life-saving equipment. This funding will provide the tools they need to better serve their community and save more lives.”
“The federal funding for the Lisle Volunteer Fire Company will help serve the community by providing funds to purchase an All-in-One Genesis tool to aid in motor vehicle accidents,” said Chief Skip Keep. “It will also allow us to provide mutual aid to local highways and the Thunder Mountain Speedway.”
Lisle Fire company is located in Broome County and is operated by 26 volunteer fire fighters who serve more than 3,000 residents. The fire department will use this federal funding to purchase new-up-to-date extrication equipment to save more people who are trapped in vehicles. This new equipment will replace outdated equipment that is no longer compliant with the DHS’s National Response Framework.
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.fema.gov/firegrants.
Full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to Administrator Fugate is below:
February 14, 2014
William Craig Fugate
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Administration
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Administrator Fugate,
I write in support of the Lisle Fire Company’s application for funding from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This funding will help the Company purchase new emergency response equipment.
The Lisle Fire Company is a 26 member all-volunteer Company operating from one station in the Town of Lisle, New York. The Lisle Fire Company provides fire and emergency response services to over 3,000 individuals.
The requested funding will be used to purchase new extrication equipment. Currently, the Company is operating with antiquated extrication equipment that compromises the health and safety of the residents they serve and the volunteer members of the Company. This new equipment is critical to the Company’s ability to protect the health and safety of the population it serves, and to ensure their compliance with the National Response Framework established by the Department of Homeland Security.
I ask that you give this application your full consideration. If you have any questions, or desire further information, please do not hesitate to contact my staff member Andrew Usyk at (202) 224-4451.
Sincerely,
Kirsten E. Gillibrand