Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $35,937 in federal funding for the Erin Volunteer Department to help upgrade their communication technology. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“This federal funding is so important for the Erin Volunteer Fire Department,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that our first responders have the most up-to-date equipment to protect our families. This funding will help equip the Erin firefighters with the technology they need for a more coordinated response to emergencies so they can save more lives.”
Erin Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Cedar said, “Chemung County is going to high-band radio communication and this money that we are getting is to purchase high-band radios.”
The Erin Volunteer Fire Department will use these federal grant to purchase high-band radios that will allow them to join other Chemung County first responders as they move to high-band radio communications. Currently, the Fire Department is supported by 22 fire fighters and serve approximately 2,100 residents.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, established by FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security, is part of an effort to increase the nation’s emergency response preparation. This program provides federal funding to first responder organizations for the acquisition of personal protective equipment, firefighting vehicles, and emergency response equipment. The funds also help provide emergency response trainings.