New York’s Capital Region Is Investing In Its First Responders

First responders are the core of our community. When tragedy strikes, our firefighters and EMS squads are there to ensure everyone's safety.

Now, the Capital Region's first responders are preparing to take their services even further with a game-changing grant that will allow these brave men and women to work at the very best of their ability.

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Grants Awarded to First Responders

On December 3rd, Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced that federal grants would be awarded to 13 Fire Departments and EMS Squads across the Capital Region. This grant money will be used to upgrade facilities, hire more bodies, and support training programs in the departments.

The grants total up to roughly $5.45 Million split between two FEMA Grant programs: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). This is one of the largest overall grants that the Capital Region First Responders have seen.

Where are the Grants Going?

The first batch of Grants will be under the SAFER program, and will be used for hiring and retention. The grants will be distributed as follows:

• City of Schenectady Fire Department: $2,008,304
• Rotterdam-Princetown Fire District #5: $821,192
• Halfmoon Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Department: $635,886
• S.W. Pitts Hose Company of Latham, NY: $426,838
• City of Rensselaer Fire Department: $237,090

The second batch of grants will be under the AFG program, meant to help these departments improve equipment, operations, and safety:

• Round Lake Fire Department: $295,428
• Albany Fire Department: $266,181
• City of Schenectady Fire Department: $201,933
• Ravena Rescue Squad: $191,428
• Halfmoon Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Department: $137,142
• Glenville Fire District #2: $124,936
• Cohoes Fire Department: $85,714
• Voorheesville Fire Department: $27,450