Albany – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has just announced that they will be accepting applications for “Volunteer Fire Assistance” grants established to help rural fire departments enhance their firefighting capabilities including the purchase of portable pumps, portable backpack pumps, hand tools, hoses, light-weight fireproof clothing, hard hats, turnout gear and more. I am pleased that the DEC has issued this announcement and I urge the eligible fire departments within my Senate District to apply for grants funding. The funding comes from the U.S. Forest Service and has an immediate deadline of this Wednesday, June 15th. For more information and to check your eligibility, please refer to the DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2364.html) or contact DEC at 518-402-8839.