New York awards $25 million for CNY volunteer fire services

Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday awarded $25 million in New York State funding to improve facilities and response capabilities for agencies comprised of volunteer firefighters. This funding, provided by the State of New York through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, is being awarded to 88 entities across the State of New York, through the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment Grant Program. The State funding for this initiative is divided into two tracks of eligible projects to maximize the benefits of the program, facility improvement projects or equipment purchase projects.

“Volunteer firefighters exemplify the best of public servants, and an investment in them is an investment in the safety of the communities they serve,” Governor Hochul said. “These grants will give volunteer firefighters the resources they need to continue protecting New Yorkers; support befitting of their professionalism and the invaluable weight of their efforts.”

Across the State, many volunteer fire departments are struggling to maintain their facilities and the equipment that keeps New Yorkers safe. This program will assist in ensuring that fire stations and fire training facilities within New York State are safe, structurally sound, meet current building codes and regulations, and support or promote effective and safe firefighting practices.

The Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program supports volunteer firefighter safety and health and wellness by providing adequate and up-to-date equipment to include personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination equipment and supplies and effective exhaust removal systems.

Additionally, the V-FIRE Grant Program will support the consolidation of fire service resources through regionalization efforts to expand above and beyond jurisdictional boundaries to further enhance local, county and statewide response efforts.

Allowable costs include construction of new, or renovation of existing fire stations, classrooms, meeting spaces or training centers as well as the installation of exhaust and decontamination systems, or the purchase of equipment such as firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), PPE washers and dryers and firefighter rehabilitation equipment.

Applications from volunteer fire departments were evaluated and scored competitively by a team of civil servants at the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services using a multi-tiered listing of criteria. The scoring process not only evaluated the timeliness and completeness of applications, but also a number of other factors including the department’s annual operating budget. Those with smaller annual operating budgets were given priority.

The full list of awardees can be found on the DHSES website.