SARATOGA SPRINGS - Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand Wednesday announced that the Buskirk Volunteer Fire Department, located in Buskirk, Rensselaer County was awarded $42,189 from the Assistance to Firefighters Program under the Department of Homeland Security.

“Federal support for our local firefighters and emergency volunteers is critical to the safety and security of our communities, “said Congresswoman Gillibrand, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee.  “We’ve had a lot of success over the past year in securing more than $2 million dollars to purchase life saving equipment and new vehicles, and I look forward to working with our local firefighters and EMS crews to support future grants.”

Buskirk Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Moses said, “We will be using the grant to purchase new equipment as well as update old worn equipment.  The new equipment will be a Thermal Imaging Camera, Automatic External Defibrillator, as well as a generator to supply power to the entire fire station and all inside it in the event of a power outage the station can be set up as a shelter for those in need.  Without the help & support of these grants, we cannot purchase these high money items on our annual operating budget.  This reward will enable us to provide an even better service to our communities which we serve, as well as keep our firefighters