Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the Jamestown Fire Department will receive $95,065 in federal Homeland Security funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP).Jamestown's award is one of several to Chautauqua County fire departments in recent weeks.

“The federal fire grant program provides direct assistance to our local communities – to keep our neighborhoods safe and to protect and equip our professional and volunteer firefighters who selflessly serve,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This grant for Jamestown and others like it for municipalities across this county provides important resources to communities with budgets stretched thin.”

Mayor Sam Teresi stated, “I would like to thank Congressman Higgins for his critical efforts to secure funding for the City of Jamestown through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.  This much-needed assistance will go to purchase new equipment and provide training in our fire department.  I would also like to recognize and congratulate Battalion Chief William Johnston for his efforts in working with the AFGP to secure the proper amount of funding to help ensure the safety of our firefighters.  His persistence helped gain additional and well-deserved dollars through this grant process.”

The Jamestown Fire Department intends to use the federal funding to replace and upgrade the firefighters' turnout gear, including jackets and pants, and purchase “bailout systems” which allow for the safe exit in buildings several stories high.  

In the last 5 years, fire departments in the Chautauqua County region have received over $3.754 million through the federal program. Grants to Chautauqua County Departments in the most recent rounds of awards, just since January, include:

Jamestown Fire Department                          $95,065

Village of Mayville Fire Department                 $32,300
Chautauqua Fire District #1                           $77,568
Busti Fire Department Inc.                            $35,150
Stanley Hose Company Inc.                          $20,045
Lakewood Fire Department                            $19,156
Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department Inc          $37,525
Brocton Fire Company, Inc                            $41,230
Cherry Creek Fire District                             $23,822

TOTAL:                                                       $381,861

Each year Congressman Higgins hosts firefighter 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 service professionals.  

The funding is awarded through the FY 2009 program authorized by Congress which includes $565 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 716-852-3501.