U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $19,324 in federal funding for Oxbow Volunteer Fire Department in Jefferson County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The Oxbow Volunteer Fire Department in Jefferson County will use this federal investment to purchase five new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs).
“It is critical that we provide our fire departments with the cutting edge equipment and breathing apparatuses they need to keep our firefighters safe, so they can do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense – it is crucial provide them with the resources and tools they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”
“Oxbow Volunteer Fire Departments will use this funding to invest in critical equipment that will help firefighters during emergency situations,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our first responders on the frontlines should have the most up-to-date equipment to carry out their lifesaving work more effectively.”“With the safety of my fire firefighters being top priority. This purchase of brand new supply and attack hose will be one of many steps to assure my fire personnel have proper water supply to attack and suppress fires,” said Oxbow Volunteer Fire Department Chief Vincent D’Agostino. “This will not only benefit our community but neighboring communities around that call us for mutual aid. Oxbow Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. would not have been able to make this big purchase without the help of this great program.”
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 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/.