Dix Hills Receives Nearly $25,000 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $25,000 FOR DIX HILLS FIRE DISTRICT TO PURCHASE NEW SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS; DIX HILLS IS RECEIVING ONE OF THE FIRST ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS MICRO-GRANT AWARDS IN NEW YORK STATE

Dix Hills Fire District Operates Three Fire Stations and Serves Over 27,000 People

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $24,974 in FEMA Funding for Dix Hills FD to Purchase New Breathing Apparatus; Will Protect Firefighters from Heat, Smoke, Flame & Super-Heated Gases During Fires

Funding is Being Provided Through DHS’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG); Dix Hills is Receiving One of the First-Ever AFG Micro-Grants Awarded in New York State

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $24,974  in federal funding for the Dix Hills Fire District. The money was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). According to the Dix Hills Fire District, funding will be used to purchase new self contained breathing apparatus. The new equipment will help protect firefighters from heat, smoke and super-heated gases during fires.

“These much-needed federal funding will provide the assistance the Dix Hill Fire District needs to purchase critical firefighting equipment like self contained breathing apparatus. First responders are our primary line of defense – they safeguard our residents and protect our property. It’s crucial that we provide our fire departments support to purchase the equipment they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability,” said Senator Schumer.

“This is an important investment for Dix Hills Fire District,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It’s our responsibility to ensure our first responders have the most up-to-date equipment to serve our communities.  The new breathing equipment will help the Dix Hills Fire District upgrade their emergency response equipment so that their firefighters can respond to emergencies in the community more efficiently and effectively, and help save more lives.”

Larry Feld, Dix Hills Fire Commissioner said, “These funds will be used to purchase SCBAs to meet the requirements under the NYS bailout law for firefighters.  The funds will ensure that the cost of the equipment is not borne by the taxpayers.”

According to the Dix Hills Fire District, 800 fire and 1,600 medical emergencies are responded to each year. The Dix Hills Fire District operates out of three fire stations, covering nearly 25 square miles and serving a population of over 27,000. The community is composed of 8,000 single-family residences and major roadways like, Commack Road, Jericho Turnpike, the Northern State Parkway, the Long Island Expressway and Deer Park Avenue. The District has approximately 175 volunteer members.

Dix Hills Fire District is receiving one of the first AFG micro-grants awarded in New York State. According to FEMA, the micro-grant option is a voluntary funding limitation choice, made by the applicant within the application. Micro-grants are awards that have a federal participation (share) that does not exceed $25,000. Only fire departments and nonaffiliated EMS organizations are eligible to choose micro-grants, and the eligible micro-grant activities are: Equipment, Modification to Facilities, PPE, Training and Wellness & Fitness.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the Department's United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the applicants that most closely address the program's priorities and demonstrate financial need.  More information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program can be accessed at http://www.firegrantsupport.com .