Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that Lake View Volunteer Fire Association has been awarded $ 65,170 in federal funding through the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.

“Firefighter recruitment and retention efforts are essential to maintaining a strong fire department,” said Congressman Brian Higgins.  “This funding will help increase our dedicated team of first responders in the Lake View region.”

The Lake View Volunteer Fire Association is a component of the Lake View Fire Department which operates two stations, Station 1 at 2005 Lake View Road and Station 2 at S6100 Lake Shore Rd.

SAFER grants are aimed at increasing the number of firefighters and enhancing their ability to ensure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire related hazards.  In the FY 2008 budget, Congress approved $190 million for the SAFER program which provides competitive grants to fire departments and statewide or local firefighter interest groups.  These awards are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.