Catskill Fire Company awarded $90K V-FIRE grant

CATSKILL―State officials on Wednesday announced $25 million in capital funding for 65 volunteer fire departments and districts across New York to improve facilities, response capabilities and emergency preparedness.

Among the recipients is the Catskill Fire Company that has been awarded $90,669 for new equipment. Specifically, the money will go toward a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) fill station, personal protective equipment (PPE) washer and dryer and specialized detergent, according to the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

"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,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.

The latest $25 million builds on another $25 million previously awarded to 88 volunteer fire departments in October 2024. Included in the first round was Leeds Hose Company #1 that received $1 million.

This year, ten departments across the state received that maximum award of $1 million through V-FIRE, a state-funded competitive program in New York that provides capital funding to upgrade and strengthen volunteer fire departments and districts

“Our state’s volunteer firefighters give their time to respond to their neighbors’ calls for help, saving New York taxpayers billions of dollars annually,” said Firefighters Association of the State of New York President Donald Farrell.

“These dedicated volunteers need equipment, apparatus and infrastructure to support them during emergency responses and training,” Farrell added.

Approximately nine million New Yorkers, nearly half of the state’s population, are served by volunteer firefighters.

“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,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-Saugerties).

“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,” Hinchey said.