The usual stream of federal grants to the 68 fire departments in the North Country could stop if the law providing for them isn’t renewed in Congress by Feb. 27.

New York’s U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer warned Wednesday that Schumer says any lapse in funding, particularly now during the middle of application period, would be a blow to local fire departments and emergency personnel looking to upgrade equipment to better protect residents.

These grant programs fall under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, which must be reauthorized by Feb. 27 or else staff working on these programs will be furloughed and grant decisions will be delayed, Schumer said, stalling funds needed to purchase new trucks, hoses and turnout gear. He said that the timing of a potential shutdown could not come at a worse time for the 507 fire departments across Upstate New York that have applied for grants this year, since some funding decisions are scheduled to be made starting next month.

Schumer urged his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a sensible solution to funding this program and not let it get caught up in larger debates about border security and immigration.

A breakdown in a news release from the senator’s office notes that in the North Country, there are 68 fire departments applying for federal firefighter funds this year. Between 2014 and 2013, 32 of those fire departments were awarded federal funds totaling $1,332,517.