Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $80,000 in federal funding for Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad, $56,381 in federal funding for Pierrepont Fire and $34,448 in federal funding for West Stockholm Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Specifically, the Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad will use these federal funds to purchase three cardiac monitoring devices for their ambulances, to help provide safe and effective emergency service to the community. The Pierrepont Volunteer Fire Department will use these federal funds to purchase eight Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units with spare bottles and integrated self-rescue devices, to help keep firefighters safe while responding to emergencies. The West Stockholm Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. will use these federal funds to purchase new fire hoses, nozzles, couplings and fittings to replace equipment over 20 years old.
“It is critical that we provide our local fire departments with the most up-to-date equipment they need to keep our citizens safe and do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense – it is crucial we provide them with the resources and cutting-edge tools they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”
“These federal funds will allow our local fire departments in the North Country to purchase the up-to-date equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and stay safe while they work,” 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 adequately funded and equipped.”
“This equipment will be replacing existing Cardiac monitors. The new cardiac monitors will have improved technology replacing devices purchased in the early 2000’s.” said Mark A. Deavers, Paramedic and Director or the Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad. “It is used to monitor oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, electrical activity of the heart and blood pressure. Gouverneur Rescue would like to thank Congresswoman Stefanik and Senator Gillibrand for their support during this process. Gouverneur Rescue is grateful for the assistance so this purchase can be made.”
“The Pierrepont Fire Department is very thankful to be receiving this grant,” said Zac Cole, 1st assistant Chief, Pierrepont Volunteer Fire Department. “The new SCBA’s will be almost half the weight and have many more integrated safety features than the outdated ones that we are currently using. Without a great program like this one, we wouldn’t have been able to purchase this safety equipment.”
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. Funding is allocated to strengthen the overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Funding is allocated to strengthen emergency 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.firegrantsupport.com/.