Six fire departments in Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties have been awarded a combined $417,789 through the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, according to two announcements from Rep. Nick Langworthy's office.
The Sept. 28 announcement lists $218,844 for three departments in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. A separate Sept. 26 release lists $198,945 for three Erie County departments.
In Chautauqua County, the Kiantone Independent Fire Department will receive $50,988 and Sinclairville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 will receive $97,142. The City of Olean in Cattaraugus County will receive $70,714.
The Erie County awards are $25,756 for the Village of Alden, $125,570 for the Village of Farnham and $47,619 for Scranton Volunteer Fire Company. The six individual grants add up to the $417,789 total announced across the two releases.
The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which is intended to improve first responders' safety and ability to handle emergencies. The program can support equipment, vehicle upgrades, training and other safety needs.
Langworthy said radios, turnout gear and air packs are examples of equipment the funding could help departments obtain. His releases did not assign particular purchases to individual recipients, identify local matching contributions or provide delivery dates, so those examples should not be read as confirmed shopping lists for the six departments.
The congressman's office said he hosted a virtual grant-writing seminar in June to help fire departments apply. Langworthy represents New York's 23rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Western New York and the Southern Tier.
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