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SCOTIA, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the Scotia Fire Department will receive a grant from the Fiscal Year 2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program totaling $67,714.28. The funding will be used to replace nine of the department’s outdated self-containing breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs, each including a pack, a mask, and two 30-minute air bottles.

“Our Capital Region firefighters work tirelessly each and every day to keep our families and our communities safe,” Congressman Tonko said. “In order to honor their contributions and ensure their critical work continues, we must make certain that all those on the front lines have the tools and the training they need to do their jobs effectively and safely. I’m thrilled to celebrate this award that will further enhance the vital services provided by the Scotia Fire Department, and I look forward to continuing to work with our local first responders to ensure they have the resources they need to thrive.”

“This was a much needed grant to bring our older packs up to date with current NFPA standards and keep our crews safe with up-to-date equipment,” said David Wood, Chief of the Scotia Fire Department. “We greatly appreciate the continued support from our state and federal politicians in obtaining this grant and look forward to working with them in future grant opportunities.”

Each year, Congressman Tonko and his staff assist numerous local fire departments by writing letters of support and helping to prepare their applications for these critical grants. Today’s announcement marks the fifth round of the competitive Fiscal Year 2022 AFG announcements, after previous rounds delivered more than $357,000 for fire departments in Troy and Watervliet. The Fiscal Year 2021 AFG cycle delivered more than $1.72 million for departments in Albany, Burnt Hills, Colonie, Glenville, North Greenbush, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, South Glens Falls, and Troy.

The Fiscal Year 2022 AFG program will award hundreds of millions of dollars in competitive grants to fire departments, non-affiliated EMS organizations, and state fire training academies.