SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND & MALONEY ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $100K IN FED FUNDING FOR LAGRANGE FIRE DISTRICT IN DUTCHESS COUNTY
Federal Funding Will Help the Lagrange Purchase Life-Saving Equipment
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney today announced $114,324 in federal funding for the Lagrange Fire District in Dutchess County. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be used to purchase life-saving equipment for the Town of Lagrange Fire District’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Specifically, it will be used to buy cardiac defibrillators for the teams who provide this much-needed EMS service to the community. The goal of this equipment is to recognize life-threatening conditions during patient assessment, provide the proper treatment and transportation with the result of improved patient outcomes and reduced morbidity and mortality.
“This much-needed funding will allow the Lagrange Fire District to purchase the critical equipment they need to do their jobs effectively and keep residents safe,” said Senator Schumer. “First responders are our primary line of defense – they safeguard our residents and protect our property. That is why it’s crucial we provide them with the resources they need to continue their important life-saving work.”
“The Lagrange Fire District will use this funding to invest in critical equipment for emergency response,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our first responders are on the frontlines during emergencies and should have the most up-to-date equipment to carry out their lifesaving work more effectively.”
“This is a critical investment in our first responders in Dutchess County and our community as a whole,” said Rep. Maloney. “These men and women put their lives on the line every day to keep our families safe and this investment will help to ensure that they have the proper equipment they need to do their jobs.”
Mark Christenson, Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners for the Lagrange Fire District said, “This grant will offer significant relief to our community. We are extremely grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Maloney and the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.”
“The Lagrange Fire District is excited to receive this funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. This funding will allow us to update and upgrade the life-saving equipment capabilities of our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams who provide an outstanding service to our community,” said Barry Ward, Acting Chief of the Lagrange Fire District. “The Lagrange Fire District covers an area of approximately 44 square miles, 15,730 residents and is a mix of residential, commercial, industrial, educational, recreational and agricultural properties. As a combination department, utilizing both career personnel and volunteer staff, the Lagrange Fire District provides Fire, Rescue and Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) transportation services to the community. The equipment purchased through this grant will enrich the Paramedic level care in our community for many years.”
“This funding will be used to replace Cardiac Monitors – Defibrillators,” said Michael Benenati, EMS Administrator for the Lagrange Fire District. “We are looking forward to enhancing the Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment capabilities of our personnel. By providing our EMS personnel with this new monitoring and diagnostic equipment we will be able to deliver a high level of quality patient care.”
“I am very pleased that the LaGrange Fire Department was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant and thankful to Congressman Maloney for his advocacy. These funds will go a long way in helping LaGrange continue to provide adequate professional training, protective equipment, and supplies among other necessities. We are very fortunate in Dutchess County to have so many career and volunteer fire departments that provide such an invaluable service to our residents. This grant process was a very competitive one, and the LaGrange Fire Department was one of a handful of departments in New York State to be selected. I congratulate them on being chosen and would like to thank Congressman Maloney for his advocacy throughout this process,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.
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 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.firegrantsupport.
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