Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $62,000 In Federal Funds For Finger Lakes Fire Departments In Livingston & Seneca Counties

Jul 21, 2016

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $62,242 in federal funding for Part Town of Avon Fire District located in Livingston County and Waterloo Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. located in Seneca County. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Specifically, the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. will receive $33,889 to purchase a new fire supply hose with adapters to accommodate the upgrade from previous model. Part Town of Avon Fire District will receive $28,353 to purchase a new chest compression device and Automatic External Defibrillators.

“It is critical that we provide our local fire departments with the most up-to-date equipment they need to keep our citizens safe and do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense – it is crucial we provide them with the resources and cutting-edge tools they need to continue their important work of saving lives.”

“These federal funds will allow our fire departments to purchase the up-to-date equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and stay safe while they are protecting our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We need to do everything we can to protect the men and women who risk their lives every day in the face of danger, and I will always fight in the Senate to make sure that our fire departments are funded and equipped.”

“The Waterloo Fire Department would like to thank the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program for allowing us to update needed equipment without placing an additional burden on our taxpayers and community at a time of limited resources,” said Mark Shaw, 1st Assistant Chief.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program’s priorities and demonstrate financial need. Funding is allocated to strengthen the overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards.  Funding is allocated to strengthen emergency preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.