Seven NY Fire Departments Land $1M State Grants

Oct. 28—A Cayuga County fire department is getting state help to replace its aging station.

The New Hope Fire Department is one of seven volunteer fire companies in New York to receive $1 million grants. The funding was awarded through the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment Grant Program.

Jackie Bray, commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, told The Citizen that New Hope will use the funding for a new fire station. The current station on New Hope Road in the town of Niles is 80 years old.

"That's going to go a long way for the New Hope Fire Department," Bray said.

Locke Fire District 1 is also receiving $190,000 to build a storage facility for equipment.

Overall, $25 million will be provided to 88 fire departments in 35 New York counties. Bray said that her agency received more than 500 applications worth over $240 million.

The Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment Grant Program, known as V-FIRE, was created to assist volunteer departments with annual budgets under $250,000.

" New York state, particularly our rural communities but even our suburban communities, is so reliant on the volunteer fire service," Bray explained. "These are folks that go out night after night, show up with skill, with empathy, with professionalism and they don't get paid for it. It's part of the fabric of the community."

But many of the departments with smaller budgets can face challenges when making larger purchases, such as a new fire truck, or investing in infrastructure improvements. The V-FIRE program, according to Bray, is designed to help modernize the departments.

While announcing a $1 million grant for another fire department, Gov. Kathy Hochul committed to continuing the V-FIRE program.

"I just want to tell you that we're going to keep this up because firefighters should not have to wait for updated equipment, new (personal protective equipment), fresh spaces for training programs, learning and for renovated spaces — you deserve better than that," Hochul said.

Bray told The Citizen that she is excited V-FIRE will be an annual program. The goal next year is to provide more grants to support volunteer firefighters.

"These are not wealthy departments," she said. "Not only do tens of thousands of dollars help, but when we're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, it makes a real big difference."

Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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