Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $83,872 in federal funding for East Area Volunteer Emergency Services Inc. (EAVES) to purchase new emergency response equipment for their trained volunteers. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
In October, Senator Gillibrand wrote FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate to encourage FEMA to fully fund the EAVES funding request through their Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
“This is an important investment for East Area Volunteer Emergency Services Inc.,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Our first responders need the right resources to protect our communities. This federal grant will give our first responders the tools they need to share critical cardiac information with doctors and hospitals ahead of time to help save more lives.”
EAVES Director of Operations Vincent Stevenson said, “EAVES is very excited about being a recipient of the AGF Grant. These funds will purchase 3 state of the art cardiac monitors to enhance our lifesaving service to the communities we serve, we would not have been able to upgrade our service without this grant. It is our hope that politicians continue to fund this program long into the future, it is truly lifesaving monies. Thank you for your support.”
EAVES’ 12 volunteer EMTs provide free emergency medical services to areas serviced by the East Syracuse Fire District, a precinct that includes many large businesses and a population of over 17,000. EAVES will use the federal funding to purchase three new Lifepaks, fifteen cardiac monitors and an emergency generator for their station. In 2011, EAVES responded to 2,570 emergency calls.
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.
Senator Gillibrand’s October letter of support for EAVES is attached.