Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $193,113 in federal funding for the Village of Speculator Volunteer Fire Department in Hamilton County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Specifically, the Village of Speculator Volunteer Fire Department will use the funding to replace Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air packs. The department will also purchase new SCBAs for surrounding regional fire departments.
“With this funding, our Village of Speculator firefighters can focus on their critical, life-saving work knowing they have new and reliable protective equipment,” 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 up-to-date tools they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”
“These federal funds will allow our fire departments to purchase the up-to-date equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and stay safe while they are protecting our communities,” 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 funded and equipped.”
“This grant will improve interoperability between the departments as it will standardize equipment while updating air packs that are several NFPA standards out of date”, said Ryan Marshall, Firefighter from the Village of Speculator Volunteer Fire Department. “The SCBA to be purchased will meet the current safety standards that have been designed and implemented for the protection of the volunteer firefighters that serve in this region.”
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.fema.gov/firegrants.