BRIER HILL -- The Brier Hill Fire Department is getting a $16,000 federal grant for new communication equipment, according to senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

The funds will buy 45 new pagers and a programmer to calibrate them to function on three different radio channels. This enables better communications between first responders and dispatch while on scene of an emergency, the senators said.

“With this much needed equipment we will be able to respond effectively, and won’t miss any calls as with our current faulty equipment.” said Brier Hill Fire Chief Shawn Macaulay, “We will also be able to monitor on three different channels for much better communications between dispatch, and also while on scene. Without this great program many departments would not be able to purchase this much needed equipment.”

The money is from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) Grant program.

“It is critical that we provide local emergency personnel and first responders with the funding they need to keep our citizens safe and do their jobs effectively,” Schumer said. “Our first responders are our local heroes and our primary line of defense -- it is crucial that the Brier Hill Fire District be able to communicate effective in order to do their important work and save lives."

“We must ensure that our first responders who put themselves in harm’s way have the most up-to-date equipment they need to help save lives,” Gillibrand said. “The Brier Hill Fire District will use this funding to purchase critical equipment that will help enhance communications between first responders and dispatchers during emergency situations. I will continue to push for funding that helps keep our first responders safe as they do their job protecting our community.”