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ALBANY, NY—U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Antonio Delgado (NY-19) announced today that Capital Region fire departments have been awarded a combined $1,449,010.38 through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Programs. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment, promote recruitment, and provide training for firefighters throughout New York’s Capital Region. 

“Our firefighters are among the first to answer the call when danger strikes, putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our Capital Region families and communities,” Congressman Tonko said. “These brave men and women work day and night, saving lives and protecting countless homes and businesses. Our local heroes must be provided with the safest equipment available, and the essential work they do cannot be allowed to fall on too few shoulders. Funding for these fire departments is critical to keeping our firefighters safe, so that they can do the same for all of us. Congratulations to these local fire houses for earning this worthy support for our local firefighters and helping ensure that our communities are protected.” 

“I am proud to join in announcing this critical funding for our first responders and the brave men and women across upstate New York who risk their lives every day to keep us safe,” Rep. Antonio Delgado said, “our volunteer fire departments go beyond the call of duty every day to protect our communities, and it is of paramount importance that they have up-to-date equipment to ensure their safety when fighting fires. I will continue to advocate to ensure our first responders have the resources to protect our communities as safely and effectively as possible.” 

• NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in Albany has been awarded a grant totaling $382,608.69 to invest in trainings for firefighters and first responders.
• West Glenville Fire District 6 has been awarded $73,428.00 towards recruitment of firefighters.
• Niskayuna Fire District 1 was awarded $390,128.00 to hire firefighters and paramedics.
• Ballston Lake Fire District 1 was awarded a grant totaling $110,857.14. The award will be used to purchase new gear and provide safety trainings.
• Waterford Fire Department received a grant of $146,214.28 towards updating air packs and other firefighter equipment.
• Midway Fire Department received a grant of $196,285.71 for funding department operations and safety.
• Speigletown District Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $137,619.04 for operations and safety.
• Niagara Engine Company No 6, Inc received $11,869.52 towards operations and safety. 
  

“New York plays a critical role in providing world-class training to firefighters and other first responders, and now, we will be able to enhance our capabilities even further,” said New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick A. Murphy. “With this funding in hand, the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control will invest in state-of-the-art mobile training simulators allowing us to take our life-saving firefighter search, rescue and survival classes directly to firefighters.”

“Volunteerism is down all around the country and it becomes more and more difficult to staff our fire department with enough people to meet the demand,” said Jill Wiseman, Commissioner of West Glenville Fire District No 6. “Over 60 percent of our firefighters are over the age of 55, so we need to do more recruiting to be able to build up our department. This grant means that we will be better prepared to answer the calls for the town of Glenville and work to keep our community safe.”

“Niskayuna Fire District No. 1 is a combination fire/EMS agency that utilizes career and volunteer staffing to provide fire prevention, fire suppression and paramedic ambulance service to the citizens and visitors in the fire district,” Niskayuna Fire Chief Dale Lingenfelter said. “The SAFER Response Grant Award will allow Niskayuna Fire District No. 1 to hire two additional firefighter/paramedics in an effort to address the steady increase in emergency call volume coupled with the continued decrease in volunteer firefighter response. The SAFER grant funding will help us soften the initial financial burden on our taxpayers as we work to maintain our critical services to the community.”

“The Speigletown Fire District is pleased to announce we have received the 2018 AFG. This grant will allow us to replace up to 40 sets of structural turnout gear and associated PPE. This could not have come at a better time as all of our gear is in need of replacement. This expenditure would have consumed almost 40% of our annual budget or require us to raise taxes. This new PPE will be utilized for the next ten years keeping our personnel safer being lighter and less bulky than gear of the past. We appreciate everyone involved in this process and believe continued support is the key to making sure the Fire service can continue to provide first class services without major tax increases,” said William Maloney, Chief, Speigletown Fire District.

The AFG and SAFER Programs under the Department of Homeland Security work to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards by providing funding to increase the number of trained and certified firefighters who can safely respond to emergencies. Since FY2001, these two programs have awarded $12.76 billion in federal funding to fire departments and volunteer support groups. 

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