Tuesday, February 10, 2009

GASPORT FIRE DEP'T. GETS $75,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS

WASHINGTON - Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) today announced that the Gasport Chemical Hose Company has been awarded $75,412 in federal funding to help enhance its services to the community. Gasport intends to use these resources to acquire state-of-the art protective gear and communications equipment.

Scott Seib, deputy fire chief for the Gasport Chemical Hose Company, commented on the grant announcement: “With this much needed money we will be updating our turn out gear to the newest standard. It will include new hoods, gloves and boots as well. We will also be getting new pagers to alert our members and they will operate on Niagara County’s new UHF radio system. And to be compliant with state law, we will be ordering 20 escape kits for our interior firefighters. We appreciate Congressman Lee’s support and look forward to working with him in the future.”

Congressman Lee added: “Our firefighters and first responders represent the finest our community has to offer. I am pleased that this grant will help ensure Gasport has the resources it needs to keep the community safe. This grant is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of Deputy Chief Seib and his team.”

This funding is being awarded under the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The AFG awards aim to enhance the ability of first responders to protect the health and safety of the public as well as that of their own personnel. Congressman Lee is a strong supporter of the program, which uses a competitive process overseen by experts to award those applicants whose requests best address the program’s priorities.