Office of U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri
Representing New York’s 24th Congressional District
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, May 3, 2010
CONTACT:
Mark Cornell
202-341-3222 (cell)
202-225-3665 (office)
ARCURI ANNOUNCES $35,350 FOR EAST HERKIMER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Funding will be used to Improve Operations and Safety at the Fire Department to Continue Assistance for Local Residents
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) announced that the East Herkimer Fire Department will receive $35,350 in funding for operations and safety enhancements under the 2009 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.
The East Herkimer Fire Department will use this funding to purchase 10 sets of traditional turnout gear and 15 sets of wildland gear for use when firefighters are battling brush fires. Additionally, funding will be used to purchase 17 emergency egress kits to allow firefighters to safely escape buildings from higher levels. These kits will be mounted directly to SCBA units and immediately available for deployment in an emergency.
“I am pleased that local fire departments are getting the resources they need to fight fires and protect the members of their communities,” said Arcuri. “The purchase of additional rescue vehicles and the ability to make improvements to equipment and facilities for our rescue workers is critical. Providing the funding necessary to allow our local fire fighters to be best equipped to do their job makes them safer and contributes greatly to the overall safety of our community.”
“We serve a small community with a small tax base and with funding being as tight as it is, alternate sources of funding like the AFG program is vital for us to update equipment to meet safety concerns,” said East Herkimer Fire Chief Ben Keller. “Specifically, we were able to purchase new turnout and wildland gear as well as meet a state mandate to purchase escape systems to allow firefighters to safely leave buildings from above the first floor. I personally attended the Congressman’s Fire Grant Workshop last year, and the guidance I received in identifying priorities went a long way in helping us write a successful grant application.”
Today’s announcement marks the thirteenth round of announcements for 2009 AFG funding. To date, a total of 25 fire departments in Arcuri’s district have been awarded nearly $1.8 million in funding through the 2009 AFG program.
Last month, Arcuri hosted a Fire Grant Workshop in Cortland, NY, lead by FEMA Regional Fire Grant Specialist David Gronsbell, to help emergency first responders in across Upstate New York apply for grants through the AFG Program. Since taking office in 2007, Arcuri has held 5 Fire Grant Workshops and assisted more than 90 local fire departments in securing approximately $6.8 million in funding through the AFG program.
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) AFG program awards grants in two areas. The first is the Operations and Safety Program Area in which funding is used for training, equipment, wellness and fitness and health and safety modifications to the facilities. The second is the Vehicle Acquisition Program Area would allow departments to purchase various types of rescue vehicles including ambulances, hazardous materials clean up vehicles, tankers and pumper trucks. DHS will continue to make funding announcements in the coming weeks.
DHS is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2010 AFG program with a deadline of 5:00pm on May 28, 2010. Local fire departments interested in applying for AFG program grants or attending a Fire Grants Workshop are encouraged to call Arcuri’s Utica, NY office at 315-793-8146.
Below is a list of other fire departments that have also received AFG funding in 2009:
- Auburn Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $135,441
- Norwich Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $85,159
- Rome Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $221,670
- Varick Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. – Operations and Safety — $32,182
- Port Dickinson Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $69,493
- Willowvale Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $35,255
- Virgil Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $38,950
- City of Oneonta Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $7,125
- New Hope Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $31,350
- Scipio Volunteer Fire Company – Vehicle Acquisition — $190,000
- Verona Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $48,521
- Moravia Joint Fire District – Operations and Safety — $21,613
- Unadilla Forks Fire Department – Operations and Safety — $82,935
- Candor Fire District – Operations and Safety – $45,315
- East Maine Fire Company – Operations and Safety – $84,788
- City of Cortland Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $41,716
- Morris Fire Department – Vehicle Acquisition – $261,250
- Harpursville Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $42,386
- Van Hornesville Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $35,663
- Borden Hose Company – Operations and Safety – $47,975
- Whitesboro Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $77,520
- Bridgewater Fire Company – Operations and Safety – $42,047
- Ilion Fire Department – Operations and Safety – $40,375
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