Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company will receive $112,528 in federal Homeland Security funding in the twenty-seventh 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.”     

The fire company has 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.

"The grant monies will be used to upgrade a failing communications system which has been in place for several decades,” said Lake Shore Fire Company Chief Paul Wilson.  “This new system will greatly improve our communications capability which will enhance personal safety for our firefighters and EMS personnel. I would also like to thank Congressman Higgins for his hard work and dedication to our community."

Established in 1937, the Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company provides fire protection, rescue, emergency medical services, and fire safety education to residents and businesses along the Lake Erie shoreline in the Town of Hamburg. 

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 $6 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.