Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that fire departments in the Towns of West Seneca and Cheektowaga will receive a total of $158,135 in federal Homeland Security funding in the twenty-second round of Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) awards for fiscal year 2007. 

“Each and every day our firefighters fulfill a selfless mission and put their lives on the line to save the lives of their neighbors,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This funding provides our local first responders with additional resources to protect themselves and the communities they serve.”     

West Seneca Fire District #4, also known as East Seneca Fire Company, will receive $39,425.  East Seneca Fire, located at 100 Lein Road, provides fire, EMS and rescue services for the Eastern side of the Town of West Seneca.  Approximately 40 active volunteers answer up to 400 calls annually.

West Seneca Fire District #6, commonly known as Vigilant Fire Company has been awarded $55,455 in federal funding.  Established in 1893, Vigilant is located at 666 Main Street and has 53 active members. 

South Line Fire District #10, located on French Road in Cheektowaga is also slated to receive $63,255 through the Assistance to Firefighters Program. 

The fire companies have been awarded this grant under the AFGP Operations and Safety Program which makes funds available for training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and health and safety modifications to stations and facilities.

Over the last several years Congressman Higgins has hosted fire grant workshops where participants are invited to learn first hand from a DHS Fire Grant Specialist how to put together a qualifying application.  All applications are then submitted to DHS and go through a non-partisan, merit based review ranked by factors established by a panel of fire service professionals.  Over the last several years, fire companies in Congressman Higgins’ district have received over $5 million dollars. 

The 2007 program, which Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, includes $490 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States.  The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

For more information about the grant program please contact Congressman Higgins’ office at 852-3501.