Safety First: Ritchie Announces $50,000 to Aid Volunteer Fire Departments, Emergency Services

Funds Will Help Firefighters Acquire Radios, Personal Protective Gear and Other Emergency Equipment

State Senator Patty Ritchie announced Thursday that she secured $50,000 in special state funding for 10 fire departments and emergency service programs in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oswego Counties.

Funding delivered by Senator Ritchie will help departments cover the cost of protective gear, including in some departments, new radios that will improve communication amongst emergency responders. 

“Our firefighters and other emergency responders are constantly on call to help when families and individuals need them the most, and this funding will help them to be better prepared to fight fires and respond to other emergencies in the communities they serve” said Senator Ritchie.

“From dinners to field days, departments are always hosting fundraisers to cover costs and generate the funds needed to purchase new technology and equipment necessary to do their jobs.  I’m so pleased to able to provide this assistance, which will not only help to keep those they serve safe, but also the firefighters and emergency responders themselves who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect the public.”

Each of the following departments will receive $5,000 in funding secured by Senator Ritchie:

Oswego County Emergency Management

Morristown Volunteer Fire Department

Louisville Volunteer Fire Department

Fishers Landing Volunteer Fire Department

Evans Mills Fire Department

Carthage Fire Department

Black River Fire Department

Town of Watertown Volunteer Fire Department

Redwood Volunteer Fire Department

Philadelphia Volunteer Fire Department

The funding represents only Senator Ritchie’s most recent effort to support the efforts of local emergency responders.  Last week, she announced $50,000 to help the Adams Fire Department to complete an expansion, which will help the organization be better prepared to fight fires and respond to other emergency situations, especially weather-related events.

(Pictured in the attached photo from left to right are Town of Watertown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ralph Green, Jr., Senator Ritchie and Town of Watertown Volunteer Fire Department 2^nd  Assistant Chief:  John Falge)