New York Awards $25 Million To Sixty Five Volunteer Fire Departments Statewide

Today, September 16, 2026, $25 million in capital funding was announced for 65 New York State volunteer fire departments and districts.

The funding is earmarked for facility improvements, response capabilities, and emergency preparedness. 10 New York State fire departments will receive the maximum award of $1 million. 

Read More: New York State Expands Victim Support

Governor Kathy Hochul notes that nearly half of New Yorkers rely on volunteer firefighters for fire protection and emergency response. The $25 million capital funding will help offset the financial pressures of rising equipment and construction costs.

Our volunteer firefighters answer the call day and night, keeping New York communities across the state safe. By investing an additional $25 million in V-FIRE grant funding for volunteer firefighters, we are ensuring our local heroes are equipped with modern facilities, advanced gear and tools they need to respond quickly and safely when they get the call. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

 

The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services supports the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment Grant Program by helping volunteer fire departments upgrade and improve facilities and response capabilities through the following objectives:

• Facility Improvements: Funding the construction of new or renovation of existing fire stations, classrooms, meeting spaces, or training centers to ensure they are safe, structurally sound, meet current building codes, and promote safe firefighting practices.
• Equipment Purchases: Supporting firefighter health, safety, and wellness by providing up-to-date personal protective equipment, washers and dryers, decontamination equipment and supplies, and effective exhaust removal systems.

According to Governor Hochul's announcement, fire departments in 9 New York State regions are receiving funding. In the Southern Tier, that included 8 departments, for a funding total of $3,031,569, as follows:

• Andes Joint Fire District, Delaware County, $40,200
• Coventry Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., Chenango County, $1,000,000
• Delhi Joint Fire District, Delaware County, $298,800
• Erin Fire District #1, Chemung County, $390,205
• Painted Post Fire Department, Steuben County, $261,578
• Town of Colesville Fire District #1, Broome County, $593,000
• Vestal Fire District, Broome County, $418,895
• Village of Odessa Fire Department, Schuyler County, $28,891

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