Congressman Chris Collins Helps Secure $688,950 Grant for Wyoming County First Responders

Congressman Chris Collins announced $688,950 in federal funding for Silver Springs Fire Department on behalf of Wyoming County. The grant was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which is designed to help fire responders, like those in Wyoming County, improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types. The grant award is to be used for equipment aiding Wyoming County’s 19 local fire and EMS departments.

“Providing the necessary funding for our first responders is the least we can do,” said Congressman Chris Collins. “Our local heroes need the proper resources to do their jobs and protect our communities. This funding will help create more efficient and effective Wyoming County first responders, and I am proud I was able to help them secure this money.”

*** This funding will equip 764 first responders with pagers that meet new federal communications requirements and are fully compatible with the county's new communications system. These pagers are essential to Wyoming County's transition to a high-band communication system that will eventually allow for full interoperability with the agencies responsible for emergency response on a regional and state-wide level. Without federal funding assistance, the county's small volunteer fire department would not be able to complete this upgrade within the foreseeable future.***