SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $485,000 FOR SUFFOLK COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS; INVESTMENT MEANS VITAL EQUIPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AT LINDENHURST & ORIENT FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Lindenhurst Will Use Funding to Purchase Approximately 30 Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus For Its Firefighters; Orient Will Use Funding to Purchase New Tanker That Holds 2,500 Gallons of Water

Funding is Being Provided Through DHS’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG); Senators Have Continually Pushed for Funding to Assist Fire Departments & First Responders

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $176,850 in federal funding for Lindenhurst Fire Department and $308,750 in federal funding for Orient Fire District. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). Lindenhurst Fire Department will use the federal funds to purchase approximately 30 self-contained breathing apparatus. The Orient Fire District will use the federal funds to purchase a new tanker to replace their currently outdated tanker from 1972. The tanker will hold 2,500 gallons of water.

“This much-needed federal funding will provide the Lindenhurst Fire Department and the Orient Fire District with the resources needed to purchase critical firefighting equipment like self-contained breathing apparatus and a new tanker,” said Schumer. “First responders are our primary line of defense and this investment will help ensure that our local heroes can continue their life-saving work as efficiently and safely as possible.”  

“This is an important investment for Lindenhurst Fire Department and the Orient Fire District,” said Gillibrand. “When our first responders go into harm’s way, we need to make sure they have the most up-to-date equipment to save lives. Federal funding will help our firefighters better serve their communities and save more lives.”

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.firegrantsupport.com/ .

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