SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $138K IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT IN DUTCHESS COUNTY
Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $138,045.45 in federal funding for the Arlington Fire District in Dutchess County. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will specifically be used to provide firefighter training on incident command and safety.
“It is essential that we provide our firefighters with the tools they need to stay safe on the job,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our first line of defense for safety and security. By allowing the courageous firefighters of the Arlington Fire District to boost and expand their training operations, this grant will help ensure their health and safety in any emergency.”
“Our first responders defend and protect their communities, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that they can stay safe and be prepared to respond to emergencies,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am excited to announce this funding for Arlington Fire District, which will be used to ensure that our firefighters are trained to keep our communities safe. I will always fight in the Senate to make sure that our local fire departments have the resources they need.”
“The Arlington Fire District is grateful to FEMA and the AFG grant program for awarding us this grant. These funds will allow us to improve our officer training, and make emergency operations safer for both our members and the public we serve. Recent changes in NYS laws are greatly advancing the educational requirements for our Command-level officers. These funds will allow us to both comply with these new legal requirements, and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our department operations. With local budgetary constraints, it would be impossible for us to achieve these goals without the assistance of the AFG grant program. We thank Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, as well as the NYS Congressional delegation, for their continued support of this vital grant program that assists the fire service in both NYS and across the nation,” said William A. Steenbergh, Chief of Arlington Fire District.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 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. The funding will be used to support the operations and safety of fire departments, which could include providing professional training, purchasing wellness programs equipment and personal protective equipment, and upgrading facilities and supplies. More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be found here.
###
