CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN SECURES CRITICAL FUNDING FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR HUDSON VALLEY FIREFIGHTERS

January 7, 2026

Congressman Pat Ryan Secures Critical Funding for Safety Equipment and Training Programs for Hudson Valley Firefighters

Today Congressman Ryan announced that more than $3.8 million in federal grants will be awarded to fire departments across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties

Ryan secured critical funding for updated safety equipment and training programs through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program; in 2023, Ryan secured $324,450 in AFG funds for the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, allowing them to strengthen safety operations

Ryan is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services and EMS Caucuses, and has consistently prioritized funding for Hudson Valley firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement officers

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that he has secured more than $3.8 million in federal grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for fire departments across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties. The funding comes from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs. Previously, Ryan secured $324,450 in AFG funding for the City of Poughkeepsie’s Fire Department allowing them to make critical safety improvements.

Ryan is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services and EMS Caucuses, and has consistently prioritized funding for Hudson Valley firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement officers.

Ryan helped secure $3.8 million in grants for Hudson Valley firefighters, which will be used to purchase essential safety equipment and bolster training programs.

“Our firefighters are heroes, working around the clock with the sole focus of protecting others – that’s why, every single day, I’m pushing to make sure they have the resources they need and deserve to keep both us and themselves safe,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “These are landmark investments in the Hudson Valley’s community safety – from updated emergency rescue equipment to bolstered hiring and training programs, we’re all-hand-on-deck to ensure that our first responders are ready for whatever call they may receive. When our fire departments are fully equipped, we are all safer. As a proud member of both the Congressional Fire Services and EMS Caucuses, I’ll always keep fighting to deliver for all of our first responders.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities afforded to us through the AFG Grant Funds. We actually already have the cardiac monitor in service that we purchased through this grant this year because it was vital for our service,” said Alexandria Willshire, Town of Wallkill EMS Executive Director. “This vital investment directly improves emergency medical care for the Town of Wallkill and enhances our mutual aid response throughout Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. These funds will help save lives and support the health and safety of residents of and visitors to the Hudson Valley every day.”

“The Arlington Fire District is grateful to be a recipient of this year’s SAFER Award and AFG Award. We are honored to receive $255,836 in AFG funds and $2,110,749 in SAFER funds, which will significantly enhance our ability to provide specialized training to our members and increase staffing on our fire engines and emergency response units,” said Arlington Fire District Chief Adam Kangas. “We commend Congressman Patrick Ryan for his steadfast commitment to public service and his dedication to supporting firefighters and first responders across the Hudson Valley. Thanks to his efforts and the support of his team, residents and visitors of the Town of Poughkeepsie and the Arlington Fire District will benefit from improved safety and stronger emergency response capabilities.”

“On behalf of West Clinton Fire District, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the federal grant awarded to support our volunteer firefighters. This funding will have a direct and meaningful impact on our department by helping us ensure our volunteers have the equipment and resources necessary to protect our community effectively,” said Jim Stutzman, West Clinton Fire District. “As a volunteer organization, this support is critical in allowing us to continue providing reliable emergency services while easing the financial burden on our members and local taxpayers. We are deeply grateful for the federal government’s continued commitment to supporting volunteer fire departments across the country. Your investment strengthens not only our department, but the safety and resilience of the community we proudly serve.”

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities. Eight fire departments and volunteer fire fighting agencies across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties were awarded AFG funds to invest in updated safety equipment, and one received funding through the SAFER program to bolster their training programs.

This year’s recipients include:

$312,380 for the Fairview Fire District
$354,022 for the Village of South Blooming Grove
$533,087 for the City of Port Jervis
$255,836 for the Arlington Fire District (AFG)
$45,454 for the Town of Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.
$44,476 for the West Clinton Fire District
$53,952 for the Village of Otisville Inc
$95,080 for the Esopus Fire District
$2,110,749 for the Arlington Fire District (SAFER)

A member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services and EMS Caucuses, Congressman Ryan has been a steadfast supporter of and advocate for Hudson Valley first responders throughout his time in office. Among others, he cosponsors the following legislation:

Facilitating Investments Required for Emergency Services to All Towns in Our Nation (FIRE STATION) Act, which provides financial assistance to fire and EMS operations nationwide.
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, a bill that recognizes the job-related roots of cancer for first responders by providing death benefits for occupational cancer under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. While medical conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and COVID-19 are presumed to be line of duty deaths for the purposes of the PSOB program, occupational cancer is not.
Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection & Prevention Act, a bill to prevent and detect certain cancers by directing the Department of Defense to include cancer testing as a component of the civil service firefighter’s annual medical exam.
Federal Firefighters Pay Equity Act, a bill that fixes a loophole where federal fire fighters receive only partial retirement credit for their work, effectively denying them the pension credit they have earned.
Social Security Fairness Act, a bill that would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and ensure retired firefighters can receive their full Social Security.
Comprehensive Alternate Response for Emergencies (CARE) Act, landmark legislation that will allow EMS first responders to access Medicaid reimbursements for lifesaving care administered to seniors.

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Issues: Clean Air, Soil, and Water for All Ensuring Safety for All