Tom Reed announces multiple Ontario County fire departments will be awarded a regional federal grant through the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to replace outdated safety equipment. “We care about those who put themselves in harm’s way for our benefit, especially our fire fighters and emergency services personnel,” said Reed. “These individuals devote their lives to protecting us and it is only right we give them the resources they need to keep themselves safe in that process.”

According to David Van Troost, President of Hopewell Fire Department, the $158,143 grant will go to five Ontario County fire departments, which include Hopewell, Manchester, Oaks Corners, Richmond and Shortsville to “replace 61 sets of firefighter gear allowing us to better protect the public from the dangers of fire and increase firefighter safety.”