New York Awarded Funds to Five Fire Departments

The state distributed over $1.6 million to regional volunteer fire departments for equipment and infrastructure upgrades.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of brass fire hydrant couplings and a coiled fire hose on a flat floor, symbolizing emergency infrastructure investment. — New York State has distributed over $1.6 million through the V-FIRE grant program to help five volunteer fire departments upgrade essential emergency equipment and facilities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New York State has awarded $1,633,273 to five volunteer fire departments through the V-FIRE grant program. This funding provides essential capital for departments to modernize their equipment and facilities.

Why it matters

The V-FIRE initiative addresses critical infrastructure needs for volunteer departments that often struggle to secure funding for necessary gear. It helps ensure that emergency responders across the state remain equipped to handle local public safety demands.

The state allocated $1,633,273 among five recipients, with the Tivoli Fire Department receiving the largest share at $1 million. Smaller grants were provided to the Kerhonkson Fire District, Lebanon Valley Protective Association, Village of Catskill, and Stuyvesant Falls Fire District.

The players

Michele Hinchey

She is a New York State Senator who established the V-FIRE initiative as part of the state budget.

Tivoli Fire Department

This department received the largest portion of the new funding with a grant totaling $1 million.

Kerhonkson Fire District

This district was awarded $388,050 to support its infrastructure and equipment needs.

The details

Established by Senator Michele Hinchey, the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) grant program helps volunteer agencies fund vital capital improvements. These specific distributions follow a broader state effort that previously provided $25 million in support to 88 departments last year.

The V-FIRE grant program was established in 2023.
The state awarded $25 million to 88 fire departments in October 2024.
New York announced this latest $1.6 million in funding on September 18, 2026.
The state will award an additional $25 million in 2027.

Market Landscape

This funding round continues the state's ongoing commitment to professionalizing and equipping volunteer emergency services through the V-FIRE grant program. It follows a significant $25 million allocation from 2024, signaling a sustained effort to bolster regional public safety infrastructure.

Residents in the affected districts may see improvements in local fire department equipment, which can lead to faster or better-resourced emergency response. These grants help reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers who might otherwise bear the full cost of equipment upgrades.

The takeaway

Reliable funding programs like V-FIRE are essential for maintaining emergency services in smaller communities that rely on volunteers. These investments ensure that local fire departments can acquire the necessary tools to maintain public safety without relying solely on local tax increases.