SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $66,000 FOR THE WEST CRESCENT FIRE DISTRICT IN SARATOGA COUNTY

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $66,037 in federal funding for the West Crescent Fire District. The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). The West Crescent Fire District will use these federal funds to purchase 14 new selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA). These SCBA airpacks help firefighters breathe when in burning buildings and hazardous environments. These SCBAs have reached the end of their reliable life, making the Fire District's need for new equipment especially acute.

"These muchneeded federal funds will help the West Crescent Fire Department purchase new breathing equipment that will keep firefighters safe and make them more effective during emergency situations," said  Senator Schumer. "Our first responders are our primary line of defense, and it is crucial that we provide them with the cuttingedge equipment that they need to do their jobs and save lives. This funding is an investment in their safety, as they protect the safety of our communities."

"Keeping our first responders safe has always been a top priority," said  Senator Gillibrand, who wrote a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on behalf of the department's application . "This federal funding will allow the West Crescent Fire District to  purchase critical, lifesaving breathing apparatuses to help firefighters keep safe while they serve their communities ."

"Whenever our firefighters respond to fires, hazardous materials incidents, or any inhalation hazards SCBA are worn to provide them the highest level of respiratory protection," said Shawn P. Brimhall, West Crescent Fire Chief. "Properly equipped firefighters can perform at their maximum potential while minimizing risk of personal injury or death, and better protect lives and property in our community. The West Crescent Fire District would like to thank the assistance of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand in securing the award. Without the Senator's assistance, the burden to replace them would have been borne entirely by the residents of the District."

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.  More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at  http://www.fema.gov/firegrants .