Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C-Schoharie), a longtime advocate for our community’s volunteer firefighter departments, is thrilled to celebrate the news that grant funding has been distributed to the 102^nd Assembly District’s various volunteer firehouses, many of which are using the funding to upgrade facilities and equipment.

The Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant was pushed by Tague and his colleagues to offer better support to local firefighter departments that operated on a volunteer basis.

“It really is just a pleasure to be able to offer this kind of support to our volunteer firefighter departments because they really deserve it,” Tague said. “An integral part of safety in our communities, volunteer firefighters are just that—volunteers working to serve the community at all hours of the day and night. This grant is just a small way we want to show our appreciation and support of these departments.

Of the departments receiving funding, the Arkville Fire District was granted $61,919 for facility maintenance, Big Indian-Oliverea Fire Company was granted $500,000 for facility maintenance, Central Bridge Fire District received $132,900 for facility maintenance, Kortright Rural Fire District received $30,000 for equipment, Leeds Hose Co. No. 1 received $1 million for facility maintenance, Niagara Engine Company No. 6, Inc. received $46,500 for facility maintenance, Richmondville Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. received $95,945 for facility maintenance, Schoharie County Office of Emergency Services received $375,000 for facility maintenance and Stamford Joint Fire District received $300,000 for equipment.

“Our volunteer firefighters are dedicated, hardworking and uncomplaining, and they deserve these grants. I’m just so honored to have been a small part in helping make that happen,” Tague concluded.