Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the Busti Fire Department will receive $31,407 in federal Homeland Security funding in the twenty-ninth 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.

Established in 1939, the Busti Fire Department is located on Mill Road and provides EMS, fire and rescue services to residents and businesses in the Town of Busti and the Village of Lakewood. 

 

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 $6.6 million dollars. 

 

Congressman Higgins will host grant workshops again in Chautauqua and Erie Counties on February 28th. 

 

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.