Washington, D.C.--The Department of Homeland Security awarded a $43,700 grant to the Nyack Joint Fire District for 20 sets of protective firefighting ensembles, which include helmets, turnout coats and pants and boots, Congressman Eliot Engel announced.

Rep. Engel said, “The equipment will help these brave firefighters to do a better job protecting the people of the district while being better protected themselves.”

Rep. Engel told the Homeland Security Department in supporting the grant that the funding would improve the safety of the Nyack Joint Fire Department’s firefighters by providing 20 active firefighters who now have out of date, damaged and torn gear with a complete new set of NFPA-compliant turnout gear. “Funding this request would allow the fire district to respond with a larger number of properly equipped firefighters on every call,” Rep. Engel said.

The grant was made under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Nyack Joint Fire District has been serving the Hudson River villages of Nyack, Upper Nyack, South Nyack and Grand View since 1863, protecting a population of 15,000 people and 800 students of Nyack College.