Washington, D.C. - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that they are awarding $93,022 in funding to the Hudson Valley under the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The purpose of the FY 2008 AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations. These awards aim to enhance first responders' ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel, with respect to fire-related hazards.
"We rely on our first responders to enhance public safety and provide assistance in the face of disasters and emergencies. We need to ensure that emergency response personnel have the resources and equipment they need, and these investments will help first responders throughout the Hudson Valley carry out their critical work," said Senator Clinton.
The three AFG grants will support Operations and Safety for the following organizations:
• Town Of Newburgh Volunteer Ambulance, Orange County — $9,542 • Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., Westchester County — $17,248 • Walden Fire District No. 2, Dutchess County — $66,232
According to DHS, Operations and Safety programs encompass eligible activities for fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations and are limited to training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.
DHS describes the AFG program as an important component of the Administration's larger, coordinated effort to strengthen the Nation's overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. Since 2004, with the Fiscal Year 2008 awards, AFG has provided a total of almost $2.75 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles.
