MCDONOUGH – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $47,239 in federal funding for the McDonough Fire Department to purchase 8 new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units on Wednesday, May 10.

The money is allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG). This funding will provide valuable resources to ensure Chenango County residents’ safety.

The McDonough Fire District will use this federal investment to replace outdated SCBA units and to address the ever increasing cost of fire equipment.

“It is essential that we provide our firefighters with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Schumer. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense—it is critical that we do all we can to ensure that they are well equipped and prepared to take on any emergency.”