Establishes the volunteer fire infrastructure and response equipment (V-FIRE) grant program

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

This bill would codify an existing capital grant program within the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) in the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). The program was first funded in the SFY 2023-24 Enacted Budget which provided $25 million in capital funding. The second cycle was funded in the SFY 2025-26 Enacted Budget which provided an additional $25 million in capital funding. This grant program provides grants to volunteer fire departments to support equip- ment and facility projects to improve fire prevention and response oper- ations throughout New York State. Codification of this program will provide local governments and fire departments consistent grant informa- tion to meet eligibility requirements to access state funding that will support fire prevention and response operations that will keep communi- ties safe.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.