Faso Announces Over $540K in Competitive Federal Grant Awards for Six Local Fire Departments
Washington, DC – Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) announced competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) awards for five fire departments in New York’s 19th Congressional District: the Schodack Landing Fire Company, Stephentown Fire District No. 1, Speigletown Fire District, Tillson Fire Department, the Lebanon Valley Protective Association, and the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department.
“The many firefighters and first responders throughout Upstate New York give selflessly to promote the safety of our communities and to protect our family, friends and neighbors,” said Faso. “This critical funding will help these departments obtain the resources they need to train and better equip their first responders.”
The Tillson Fire Department is utilizing their $100,048 funding award to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs. “This grant is something we have been working toward for over two years. The SCBA packs are essential for keeping firefighters as safe as possible in dangerous situations. This is especially important because our County lost a firefighter in the line of duty a few years ago. We are very thankful that these grants exist and that we were able to get one,” said Heidi Jewett of the Tillson Fire Department.
“It is with great pleasure and pride that Speigletown Fire District announces the award of the 2017 Assistance to Firefighters grant in the amount of $52,381. With this grant we will be replacing our aging breathing air compressor and equipment. This compressor allows our members to refill the bottles used during firefighting operations to allow for safe breathing in conditions unsafe for life. Having this type of equipment means we can be ready for service in less time than if we had to travel to fill our bottles elsewhere. Winning this grant will allow us to reduce the burden to our tax payers to purchase a new unit and allow us to reduce our maintenance costs associated with the older unit. Speigletown Fire District prides itself on researching and writing any grants available to help minimize any tax increase we can. We will continue to be fiscally responsible and accountable to our taxpayers,” said William Maloney, Chief of the Speigletown Fire District.
“The St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department is very pleased to be awarded the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters grant. The award will help us replace our self-contained breathing apparatus with compliant and reliable equipment. The grant will allow us to do this without placing a burden on the taxpayers. We are grateful to FEMA for their support,” said Shannon R. Whiteman, Asisstant Chief of the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department
Background
Awards Include:
- Schodack Landing Fire Company – $98,572
- Stephentown Fire District No. 1 – $52,904
- Speigletown Fire District – $52,381
- Tillson Fire Department – $100,048
- Lebanon Valley Protective Association – $104,096
- St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Department – $135,667
These awards are Fiscal Year 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grants and are issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directly to fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.
Congressman Faso has formally advocated in support of the AFG program. During the fiscal year 2019 appropriations process, he joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle to send a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to request $405 million in federal funding for the AFG program.
More information on the AFG program can be found here.
