SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $40K IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR TWO OSWEGO COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Fire Depts. In Granby & Oswego Will Use Funds To Purchase Critical Equipment For Firefighters
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $22,210 in federal funding for the Town of Oswego Volunteer Fire Department and $20,772 in federal funding for the Granby Center Volunteer Fire Department, located in Oswego County. This funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Specifically, the Oswego Volunteer Fire Department will use these federal funds to equip their vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which will help allow its trucks to provide the quickest emergency response possible. The Granby Center Fire Department will use these federal funds to purchase a new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant washer and dryer that will allow for in-house laundering of firefighter gear and equipment in a timely, safe manner.
“It is critical that our local fire departments be able to focus on their important work knowing they have reliable and protective equipment that is up-to-date,” said Senator Schumer. “Our firefighters are our local heroes and the first line of defense – we must provide them with the equipment they need to continue their life-saving work as effectively as possible.”
“These federal funds will allow the Town of Oswego Volunteer Fire Department and Granby Center Volunteer Fire Department 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.”
Greg Herrmann, Chief of the Oswego Fire District said, “All of us at the Town of Oswego Volunteer Fire Department are very appreciative to FEMA and the Senators for this assistance which will allow us to provide the best quality of service possible to the people of Oswego.”
David Okoniewski, Secretary of the Granby Center Volunteer Fire Department, said, “With this grant the Granby Fire Department will be able to purchase much needed appliances which will allow us to do in-house laundering of our gear in a timely and OSHA compliant manner. The gear will be properly decontaminated, thus ensuring the safety of our firemen, their families and the public we serve.”
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.
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