Binghamton, NY - In an effort to help ensure that first responders have the resources they need to keep themselves and their communities safe, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) will hold a workshop on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 to assist local fire departments and EMS organizations with their applications for federal grant funding. The workshop will take place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Decker Room of the Broome County Public Library located at 185 Court Street in Binghamton. 

            "Firefighters and other first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve our full support," said Hinchey. "This workshop will assist firefighters and EMS organizations in their effort to obtain critically needed federal funding for gear, equipment and vehicles that will help keep them safe and enhance their ability to effectively respond to emergencies. With many communities in the Southern Tier facing tight budgets, I'm committed to ensuring that our local departments have the resources they need to operate successfully."

            As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey has worked to secure full funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program since its inception in 2001. Nearly $20 million in grants have been awarded to fire and emergency medical departments in Hinchey's congressional district to help pay for fire equipment, vehicles, radio equipment, and other fire safety gear.

            The congressman has sponsored a number of similar workshops across his congressional district in the past to help fire and EMS departments successfully navigate the grant application process. Hinchey is also the author of the SERVE (Supporting Emergency Responders' Volunteer Efforts) Act, which would provide a $1,000 federal tax credit to individuals who are active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations. For more information on the workshop, fire and EMS departments should contact Bob Messinger in Hinchey's Binghamton office at 607-773-2768.  For the most current information regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, please visit http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/.

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