65 Volunteer Fire Departments Awarded Capital Funding

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $25 million in capital funding for 65 volunteer fire departments and districts across New York State to improve facilities, response capabilities and emergency preparedness. Ten departments received the maximum award of $1 million. These investments build on the $25 million previously awarded to 88 volunteer fire departments in October 2024. With nearly half of New Yorkers relying on volunteer firefighters for fire protection and emergency response, this grant program helps offset the financial pressures of rising equipment and construction costs, ensuring local taxpayers do not bear the full cost of these essential safety upgrades.

Recognizing the important role of volunteer firefighters in communities across the state, Governor Hochul has prioritized strengthening and stabilizing New York’s volunteer fire services through record investments in training, equipment and facility upgrades.

"Our volunteer firefighters answer the call day and night, keeping New York communities across the state safe," Governor Hochul said. "By investing an additional $25 million in V-FIRE grant funding for volunteer firefighters, we are ensuring our local heroes are equipped with modern facilities, advanced gear and tools they need to respond quickly and safely when they get the call."

Administered by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program supports volunteer fire departments by upgrading and improving facilities and response capabilities through the following objectives:

Facility Improvements: Funding the construction of new, or renovation of existing, fire stations, classrooms, meeting spaces, or training centers to ensure they are safe, structurally sound, meet current building codes, and promote safe firefighting practices.
Equipment Purchases: Supporting firefighter health, safety, and wellness by providing up-to-date personal protective equipment (PPE), PPE washers and dryers, decontamination equipment and supplies, and effective exhaust removal systems.

Additionally, the V-FIRE grants support the consolidation of fire service resources through regionalization efforts, allowing departments to expand their capabilities beyond traditional jurisdictional boundaries to enhance local, county, and statewide mutual aid response.

Ten volunteer fire departments received the maximum award of $1,000,000 for major capital overhauls through this round of grant funding:

Sennett Fire District, Cayuga County
Volney Volunteer Fire Corporation, Oswego County
Farmington Volunteer Fire Association, Inc., Ontario County
Village of Tivoli, Dutchess County
Village of Richfield Springs Fire Department, Otsego County
West Edmeston Fire District, Otsego County
Adams Center Fire District, Jefferson County
Port Henry Fire District #3, Essex County
Coventry Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., Chenango County
Village of Angola Fire Department, Erie County

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O’Leary said, "The volunteer fire service plays a critical role in communities all across our state and New York is a safer place because of their continued service. Governor Hochul has prioritized supporting our volunteer firefighters through record investments in training, equipment and facilities — and we remain committed to ensuring New York’s volunteer fire service remains strong, resilient, and ready to respond to any emergency."

New York State County Fire Coordinators Association President Bill Streicher said, “New York’s V-FIRE Grant Program is a critical investment in the men and women who dedicate their time to protecting communities across our state. Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of public safety, particularly in rural communities. Ensuring these dedicated departments have the equipment, facilities and resources they need is not only an investment in our fire departments — it is an investment in the safety and well-being of New Yorkers.”

Governor Hochul’s top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, and volunteer firefighters play a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of communities across the state. Approximately nine million New Yorkers, nearly half of the state’s population, are served by volunteer firefighters. Yet in recent years, more than 75 percent of these departments have reported a decrease in the number of individuals willing to volunteer and serve. This shortage is further compounded by the increased operational responsibilities beyond fire protection, including vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous material spills and weather-related rescue operations. At the same time, calls for service have increased 29 percent from 1997 to 2020.

In addition to supporting the capital needs of volunteer fire departments, Governor Hochul has sought to strengthen and stabilize the state’s volunteer fire service by addressing recruitment, retention, and operational challenges within the volunteer fire service. Governor Hochul previously signed landmark legislation allowing local governments to offer up to a 10 percent property tax exemption for volunteer first responders, enacted a first-of-its-kind state training stipend program to financially compensate volunteers for completing foundational courses with more than 5,500 firefighters completing training since it was implemented, and signed legislation permitting volunteer departments to bill insurance providers for emergency medical services (EMS) to create vital new revenue streams.

Protecting the health and long-term safety of New York's first responders is a cornerstone of Governor Hochul's administration, particularly in the fight against occupational cancer. The Governor has consistently championed the NYS Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Benefit Program, which provides critical disability and death benefits to volunteer firefighters diagnosed with cancer. By aligning the V-FIRE program's equipment track to fund advanced exhaust removal systems and specialized PPE decontamination washers, the state is actively working to reduce carcinogen exposure and prevent cancer before it starts.

A breakdown of award recipients by region is below:

Capital Region (8 awards totaling $2,295,926)

Beukendaal No 5 Fire District, Schenectady County, $934,698
East Schodack Fire District #1, Rensselaer County, $383,000
Lebanon Valley Protective Association, Inc., Columbia County, $96,554
Speigletown Fire District, Rensselaer County, $318,957
Stuyvesant Falls Fire District, Columbia County, $58,000
Village of Cambridge Fire Department, Washington County, $314,848
Village of Catskill Fire Department, Greene County, $90,669
Village of Menands Fire Department, Albany County, $99,200

Central New York (8 awards totaling $3,825,749)

Fair Haven Volunteer Fire Department, Cayuga County, $229,000
King Ferry Fire District, Cayuga County, $824,000
Oswego County, Oswego County, $400,000
Sennett Fire District, Cayuga County, $1,000,000
Smithfield Fire District, Madison County, $66,875
Village of Cazenovia Fire Department, Madison County, $253,084
Village of Weedsport, Cayuga County, $52,790
Volney Volunteer Fire Corporation, Oswego County, $1,000,000

Finger Lakes (8 awards totaling $2,605,692)

Branchport Keuka Park Fire District, Yates County, $475,000
Farmington Volunteer Fire Association, Inc., Ontario County, $1,000,000
Kendall Fire Department Inc., Orleans County, $114,000
Village of Geneseo, Livingston County, $19,233
Village of Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Ontario County, $296,000
Village of Red Creek Fire Department, Wayne County, $264,741
Village of Waterloo, Seneca County, $391,331
Wyoming County, Wyoming County, $45,387

Long Island (7 awards totaling $1,194,425)

Alert Engine Hook Ladder and Hose Co. No. 1, Nassau County, $95,000
City of Glen Cove, Nassau County, $287,324
Halesite Fire District, Suffolk County, $145,000
Huntington Manor Fire District, Suffolk County, $164,601
Incorporated Village of Amityville Fire Department, Suffolk County, $125,000
New Hyde Park Fire District, Nassau County, $188,000
Village of Lynbrook Fire Department, Nassau County, $189,500

Mid-Hudson (7 awards totaling $2,357,959)

Buchanan Engine Company No 1 Inc., Westchester County, $425,000
Kauneonga Lake Fire District, Sullivan County, $82,215
Kerhonkson Fire District, Ulster County, $388,050
Pearl River Fire District, Rockland County, $107,015
Village of Suffern Fire Department, Rockland County, $256,679
Village of Tivoli, Dutchess County, $1,000,000
West Nyack Fire District, Rockland County, $99,000

Mohawk Valley (8 awards totaling $3,857,616)

Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company Inc, Fulton County, $56,900
Columbia Litchfield Fire District, Herkimer County, $126,730
Middleburgh Fire Department, Schoharie County, $58,775
Village of Cooperstown Fire Department, Otsego County, $488,211
Village of Milford Fire Department, Otsego County, $377,000
Village of Oriskany Fire Department, Oneida County, $750,000
Village of Richfield Springs Fire Department, Otsego County, $1,000,000
West Edmeston Fire District, Otsego County, $1,000,000

North Country (4 awards totaling $2,488,223)

Adams Center Fire District, Jefferson County, $1,000,000
Parishville Fire District, St. Lawrence County, $157,499
Port Henry Fire District #3, Essex County, $1,000,000
Town of Gouverneur/Gouverneur Fire Company Inc., St. Lawrence County, $330,724

Southern Tier (8 awards totaling $3,031,569)

Andes Joint Fire District, Delaware County, $40,200
Coventry Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., Chenango County, $1,000,000
Delhi Joint Fire District, Delaware County, $298,800
Erin Fire District #1, Chemung County, $390,205
Painted Post Fire Department, Steuben County, $261,578
Town of Colesville Fire District #1, Broome County, $593,000
Vestal Fire District, Broome County, $418,895
Village of Odessa Fire Department, Schuyler County, $28,891

Western New York (7 awards totaling $3,342,841)

Forks Fire District No. 3, Erie County, $182,576
Harris Hill Volunteer Fire Company, Erie County, $453,849
Kiantone Independent Volunteer Fire Department Inc., Chautauqua County, $560,480
River Road Fire District #3, Erie County, $750,000
Town of Eden Fire District, Erie County, $373,911
Village of Angola Fire Department, Erie County, $1,000,000
Village of Lancaster, Erie County, $22,025

State Senator Rachel May said, “Volunteer firefighters exemplify the character of New Yorkers at their best, with generosity of spirit and a dedication to helping a neighbor in times of need. This funding for the Sennett Fire Department in my district will help ensure they have the facilities and tools they need to continue their critical work protecting people and property from fire. Thank you to Governor Hochul for supporting these courageous firefighters in our community.”

State Senator Pete Harckham said, “Our first responders cannot effectively protect our communities without the necessary equipment. This investment in volunteer fire departments like Buchanan will ensure they have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively while reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers. Thank you to my legislative colleagues for their help in securing this funding and to Governor Hochul for quickly dispersing this critical funding to our first responders.”

State Senator Monica R. Martinez said, “The volunteers who protect our state from fire must have everything they need to accomplish that mission. This significant investment in departments throughout the state, including here on Long Island, will better enable New York’s volunteer fire personnel to safely and effectively respond to emergencies.”

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “We developed the V-FIRE program because our volunteer fire departments put their lives on the line for our communities, and they need modern equipment and emergency response capabilities to do their jobs safely amid ever-increasing demand for their services. I'm thrilled to see the second round of V-FIRE funding going out the door, including to many of our firehouses across the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Grant support through V-FIRE delivers a direct benefit to public safety, and it also eases the financial burden on local taxpayers given the high costs of capital needs. Thank you to Governor Hochul for recognizing the need for this funding, and congratulations to all of the fire departments selected in this second round. We’ll keep advocating for investments that help more firehouses throughout the region.”

State Senator Lea Webb said, “I am pleased to hear that the Vestal Fire District will be receiving $418,895 through the V-FIRE Grant Program. This state program provides vital financial support to our local volunteer fire departments, who selflessly donate their time to protect our communities. With this funding, our local department will be able to improve their facilities, offset the rising costs of equipment, and support their first responders.”

State Senator Pat Fahy said, “In New York State, we rely heavily on our volunteer firefighters and first responders, so providing them with the grant funds needed to ensure their safety and improve facilities and response capabilities is of the utmost importance. The V-FIRE Grant Program improves safety for residents and responders alike, reducing carcinogen exposure through equipment upgrades and exhaust removal systems and creating room for record investments in training. This grant, just under $1 million to Beukendaal No. 5 Fire District in Scotia, will offset the financial pressures of increasing material costs, saving the residents from having to foot the bill for non-negotiable safety upgrades. Thank you to Governor Hochul for seeing this need, delivering for our residents with investments in volunteer departments, and prioritizing safety and training for New York’s Volunteer Fire Service.”

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “I have supported the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program in our New York State budgets and appreciate seeing the funding awards being released to our volunteer fire departments who not only protect us but also help save taxpayer dollars. The V-FIRE Grant Program supports our volunteer firefighters and helps keep them safe with up-to-date equipment and facilities. This program, the Volunteer Firefighter Stipend Program, and other legislative efforts are examples of the policies that we have implemented to show our volunteer fire departments that we appreciate all that they do and that we will continue to support our volunteer firefighters and their important work."

Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “I thank Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for providing significant capital grant funding for the Huntington Manor Fire District. This grant will support facility improvements and equipment upgrades for the heroic and selfless community members who risk their lives, spend time away from their families and spend considerable time training to ensure the safety of our homes, and families. In addition, this funding will also help reduce the tax burden on residents by providing much-needed resources to upgrade equipment and training facilities for our local firefighters, who deserve our gratitude and meaningful support.”

Assemblymember Judy Griffin said, "I am thrilled to see the Village of Lynbrook Fire Department receive $189,500 through the V-FIRE Grant Program. This investment will help support the brave men and women who answer the call when our community needs them most, while easing the financial burden on local taxpayers. The volunteer firefighters of LFD proficiently serve Lynbrook and the greater community, and I am incredibly grateful for their dedication, diligence, and sacrifice. Because Lynbrook is a vibrant village with a bustling downtown, the department consistently needs to upgrade equipment and vehicles, as well as maintain their firehouses. This vital funding will strengthen their emergency response capabilities, ensuring they can protect our over 20,000 residents safely and effectively. I thank Governor Hochul for recognizing the vital role our volunteer firefighters play and for continuing to invest in the safety of Nassau communities like Lynbrook.

Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, “I am very proud of the work our volunteer firefighters do every day to protect and serve the communities where we live, work, and travel. They are always there when we need them, and I am grateful for their dedication and sacrifice. I am appreciative to see the Oriskany Fire Department receive this important funding, and I will continue to advocate to ensure that volunteer departments throughout my district have the opportunity for funding consideration in future rounds.”

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, “Our volunteer firefighters and the communities they protect deserve the very best equipment and infrastructure. A grant of $425,000 is fantastic news for Buchanan Engine Company No. 1. I am so grateful to Governor Hochul and her administration for their continued attention to the public safety needs of my district."

About the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control delivers a wide breadth of services to firefighters, emergency responders, state and local government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York. The office advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations, and technical rescue programs. The delivery of these essential services enables the office to make significant contributions to the safety of all of New York State.

About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on X or visit dhses.ny.gov.

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