CORTLAND, N.Y. – The City of Cortland Fire Department has been awarded $68,620 in federal funding that will be used to purchase protective equipment for firefighters, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Thursday.
The fire department will use the funds to purchase a washer-extractor and dryer to clean turnout gear, Cortland Fire Chief Charles Glover said.
"With the proliferation of cancer amongst those who serve their communities, this is one of a variety of steps we can take to try to limit the toxins so prevalent in today's furnishings," Glover said. "Additionally, we be able to purchase gear lockers to more appropriately store the turnout gear."
The Cortland Fire Department consists of 35 career and approximately 35 volunteer firefighters in two fire stations. They cover emergencies within four square miles of City of Cortland, serving nearly 19,000 residents as well as 7,300 SUNY Cortland students.
The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
