The 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program will be opening in the next several weeks. Workshops for the AFG program are now being held. There will be a workshop held at the Old Lycoming Township Fire Department 1600 Dewey Avenue and will begin at 6PM. There will also be a workshop at the Perry (NY) F.D. Rec. Bldg.(located in the Village Park) 67 Buckland Avenue Contact: Mike Laraby, 585.410.4546,
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for more information. This workshop will begin at 6:30PM. All of the workshops utilize the same Power Point presentation. The presentation will also be available online at http://www.firegrantsupport.com in the near future.
At this time the 2010 guidance information has not yet been released. This is expected to be available sometime after April 12th at the earliest. We will pass along any further information we receive as soon as it is available.
ATTENTION to the Hebron Township Residents of North Hebron Township (phone prefix 698 or previous 698)
At our April 1, 2010 meeting, a decision was made by the Hebron Township Board of Supervisors to switch Fire & Emergency Protection Coverage from Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department and Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association to Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department and Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association. This decision was reached after much discussion and deliberation based on a significant requested increase by Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department.
Any questions, please contact Chairman, Jerry Lambert at (814) 698-2140 or Secretary, Karin Karr at (814) 274-7306.
It was very evident this past weekend that wildfire season is upon us. There were several calls throughout the Potter and Tioga county region. Despite the amount of snow that we had this past winter, and in some cases snow still on the ground on many hillsides, most of the surface vegetation is very dry and prone to easy ignition. As area residents take to doing some "spring cleaning" out in the yard in the coming weeks they are asked to use extreme caution when burning brush.
Here are some tips for safe burning;
DO NOT burn on windy/breezy days. Even a light wind can easily cause a small controlled fire to quickly spread and become out of control.
Keep a garden hose or other source of water handy along with a rake and a shovel. This will allow you to try to keep things under control.
DO NOT burn anything other than yard waste/material, period. For one, it's against the law and burning things like heavy lumber and other materials makes it much more difficult to control.
ALWAYS remain in the area you are burning and NEVER leave a fire unattended!!!
If things begin to get out of hand don't hesitate, call 9-1-1. Don't try to control a fire that has gotten too big for the resources you have available.
The Tri-Town Fire Co. (Dept 47) of Ulysses announced today that it has been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Congressman Glenn Thompson's office that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $53,913 through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grant was awarded under the program's Operations and Safety section and will be used to purchase new personal protective equipment (PPE) for 25 of the department's active firefighters. This will include turnout coats, bunker pants, helmets, boots, protective hoods and gloves. The grant award will also cover the cost of several equipment racks for storage of the equipment in a ready state.
Chief of the Department Roy Hunt stated that this grant will allow the department to provide the most up-to-date protective gear to its most active members, particularly those that are involved in interior fire attack operations, and will help to provide for a greater degree of safety for firefighters.
The department is also currently awaiting word on a grant application that was submitted through the AFG Vehicle Replacement program for the purchase of a new Four-Wheel-Drive Engine/Rescue unit. If awarded that grant the vehicle purchased would replace a total of three vehicles in the department's fleet.
Thompson Announces $53,913 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant To Tri-Town Volunteer Fire Company
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced a $53,913 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Tri-Town volunteer Fire Company. The grant comes under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Tri-Town Fire Captain Mike Healy said, “We will use the money for personal protective equipment, like turnout gear, for 25 firefighters who are the most active and take part in interior fire attacks.”
“It is absolutely crucial that firefighters have the right protective gear,” said Thompson, who is a qualified volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. “This grant will make that a reality for Tri-Town.”
Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
HARRISBURG – In an effort to streamline all of the various acts affecting both paid and volunteer firefighters into one title, Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Snyder/Union), Republican chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee is authoring legislation to codify the various acts relating to firefighters.
“There are many times that we in the General Assembly deal with issues that involve our emergency responder community across the board,” Fairchild said. “It is both fitting and necessary that we take the steps needed to structure our laws relating to this community in a more effective and manageable manner.”
House Bill 2321, which was introduced on March 10, will provide fire and emergency services, citizens, and elected state and local officials with one area of law relating to the fire and emergency services by codifying the various acts under one umbrella, which is Title 35, commonly referred to as the Emergency Management Code.
“Last summer, I circulated a co-sponsor memo to do the same, which resulted in the introduction of House Bill 1810,” Fairchild said. “However, upon further consideration and meetings with the Legislative Reference Bureau, it became apparent that it is possible to include almost all of the acts affecting our firefighters, both paid and volunteer. Now we can take the extra step necessary to bring together under one title the laws affecting our paid and volunteer fire services.”
Just before 2330hrs last night Roulette Dept 46 was tapped for a reported structure fire on River St. Extension in the village. Upon arrival Chief 46 reported a working fire that appeared to be contained to one room. Port Allegany (McKean Dept 3) was dispatched for mutual aid to the scene. Firefighters were able to get a quick knockdown on the blaze and it was declared under control at 0011hrs and declared out at 0051hrs. Fire damage was contained to the room of origin with smoke damage throughout the structure. A good stop and a save for the crew from 46!
At approximately 0710hrs this morning Belmont, NY with Scio automatic mutual aid were dispatched for a reported structure on Rt between Belmont and Scio. Initial reports indicated the structure was heavily involved. At the time there a multiple companies working at the scene of this incident and NYS Route 19 is closed in both directions. More details will be posted as they become available.
