Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $430,000 In Federal Funding For Ithaca And Trumansburg Fire Departments

Press Release

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $413,637 in federal funding for the Ithaca Fire Department and $21,265 in federal funding for the Ithaca Fire Department. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG).

"It is critical that we provide local fire departments, like the Ithaca and Ithaca Fire Departments, with the funding they need to keep our citizens safe," said Senator Schumer. "Every day these firefighters put their lives on the line to save lives and protect our communities, and these heroes deserve to have the latest safety gear so they can do their jobs effectively and safely."

"We must ensure that our first responders who put themselves in harm's way have the most up-to-date equipment they need to help save lives," said Senator Gillibrand. "The Ithaca and Trumansburg Fire Departments will use this funding to purchase critical, life-saving equipment that will help them protect our community and fight fires."

"I'm thrilled that we will be making this huge investment in the safety of our firefighters and the safety of the public," said Mayor Svante Myrick. The City of Ithaca and the Ithaca Fire Department continue to be active in pursuing alternate sources of revenue and - thanks to the support of Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand - we have once again been successful."

The Ithaca Fire Department will use this federal investment to purchase the latest SCBAs or air-packs. Before the funding, firefighters were using equipment over fifteen years old.

"I'm very pleased to find out our department will receive this much needed equipment," said Chief Tom Parsons of the Ithaca Fire Department. "These new air packs will allow our firefighters to continue to protect the people of Ithaca, providing an unparalleled level of service to the community, while making their dangerous jobs safer. I'm grateful to the Senators for their help in obtaining this equipment."

The Trumansburg Fire Department will use this federal investment be used to replace and upgrade fire hoses. The department covers around 8,000 homes with approximately 60 volunteer firefighters in the Village of Trumansburg, and parts of the Towns of Ulysses, Covert, and Hector.

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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