U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $53,953 in federal funding for the Delanson Fire Company to purchase new equipment. The money was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The Delanson Fire Company will use this federal investment to purchase ten Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or air packs.
“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 they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”
“We must ensure that our first responders who put themselves in harm’s way have the most up-to-date equipment they need to help save lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Delanson Fire Company will use this funding to invest in critical equipment that will help keep them safe as they do their job protecting our community.”
“This is a huge addition to the fire department,” said Delanson Fire Company Chief Kevin Morrison. “Now our members can have confidence and feel safe entering dangerous situations.”
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/.