WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the Lake View Fire District will receive $112,528 in federal Homeland Security funding in the fourteenth round of Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP) awards for fiscal year 2008. 

“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.

“This award will be used to purchase new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus to replace our current aged and damaged units,” said Michael Lewis, Chairman of the Lake View Fire District. “The grant allows us to replace our existing units which are between 11 and 26 years old, and do not meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. This will immediately impact the safety of our Firefighters.”

Established in 1924, the Lake View Fire Department provides fire protection, rescue, emergency medical services, and fire safety education to residents and businesses in Lakeview, New York. 

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 $6.7 million dollars. 

The 2008 program, which Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, provides approximately $500 million in competitive grants 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 (716) 852-3501.

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