news

ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko today announced the awarding of more than $189,000 in federal grant funding to two Capital Region fire departments.

In this round of funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, the Latham Fire Department will receive $97,681.90 to acquire a new turnout gear extractor, a turnout gear dryer, and up to 17 sets of new protective turnout gear to replace existing outdated equipment and aid in critical decontamination efforts. In the same round of funding, the Greenfield Fire District will receive $91,477.90 to purchase four new extractor/washers and gear dryers to help ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of its firefighters’ protective gear. This March, Tonko submitted a letter to FEMA in support of the Greenfield Fire District’s request for federal funding.

“Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that our Capital Region firefighters have the resources they need to continue serving our communities safely and efficiently,” Congressman Tonko said. “The brave men and women of our local fire departments put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our families, and it is our solemn responsibility as elected officials to make certain that they are properly equipped to safely face the challenges of their jobs. I’m thrilled to celebrate his significant infusion of federal funding for our communities, and I look forward to continuing my efforts to make sure that our local departments have the tools, equipment, and training they need.”

“The health and safety of our responders is our utmost priority,” said William D.T. Childs, Chief of the Latham Fire Department. “This award will further our continued effort to provide our responders with the best equipment available. We are also appreciative of the role that our elected representatives played in supporting our application. Representative Paul Tonko and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand played key roles supporting our request.”

“This grant helps us ensure the safety and readiness of our firefighters by providing the necessary equipment for proper decontamination and care of turnout gear,” said Jay Ellsworth, Greenfield Fire District Commissioner. “It is especially helpful to receive these funds during these challenging financial times.”

“These extractor washers will replace our current inadequate residential-type washers and help us continue our fight towards cancer prevention,” added Derrick Barss, District Chief of the Greenfield Fire District.

Each year, Congressman Tonko and his staff assist numerous local fire departments and EMS organizations by writing letters of support and helping to prepare their applications for these critical grants. Today’s announcement marks the seventh round of the competitive Fiscal Year 2023 AFG announcements, after previous rounds delivered more than $124,000 for fire departments and EMS squads in Scotia and Colonie.

Earlier rounds of funding for Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022 delivered nearly $2.6 million for departments in Albany, Ballston Lake, Burnt Hills, Colonie, Glenville, Menands, North Greenbush, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Scotia, South Glens Falls, Troy, and Watervliet.

The Fiscal Year 2023 AFG program will award hundreds of millions of dollars in competitive grants to fire departments, non-affiliated EMS organizations, and state fire training academies.

###