Garbarino Leads Bipartisan Effort to Provide New York Firefighters with Critical Equipment

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) this week led a bipartisan coalition of New York Members of Congress in urging Governor Kathy Hochul to establish a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service for the Firefighter Property Program (FFP). This agreement would allow New York's fire departments to acquire excess Department of Defense (DoD) equipment, reducing costs and enhancing emergency response capabilities.

The letter, co-signed by Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), and Laura Gillen (D-NY-04), highlights the challenges New York's fire departments face in acquiring and maintaining essential equipment. Despite many other states having agreements in place, New York has yet to establish eligibility for this vital program.

"Across New York State, countless Fire Departments are struggling to obtain and maintain a variety of necessary fire and rescue equipment given the high costs of doing so. Should agencies be permitted to access this program, it would allow for the sale or donation of excess equipment that can be put to good use by first responders across their communities," the Members wrote. "In addition to helping reduce costs for fire departments, participation in this program would also aid departments in becoming better equipped to deal with the variety of emergency situations they face on a regular basis, such as forest fires, flooding events, and other related natural disasters."

The full text of the letter can be found hereand below:

Dear Governor Hochul,

As members of the New York Congressional Delegation, we urge you to support the formation of a cooperative agreement with the United States Forest Service for the Firefighter Property Program, also known as the 1706 program.

As you may know, the Firefighter Property Program is one of the Department of Defense's (DoD) special programs whereby volunteer, paid, or combination fire departments can receive excess DoD property to be used for firefighting and emergency services. This program is managed by the United States Forest Service in conjunction with relevant state forestry agencies. To be eligible for this program, participating states must enter a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, which would then permit the acquisition of this property at the state and local level.

Across New York State, countless Fire Departments are struggling to obtain and maintain a variety of necessary fire and rescue equipment given the high costs of doing so. Should agencies be permitted to access this program, it would allow for the sale or donation of excess equipment that can be put to good use by first responders across their communities. In addition to helping reduce costs for fire departments, participation in this program would also aid departments in becoming better equipped to deal with the variety of emergency situations they face on a regular basis, such as forest fires, flooding events, and other related natural disasters.

While many states have formed cooperative agreements with the U.S. Forest Service for this program, New York State has yet to do so, thereby barring state and local eligibility for property acquisition.

Therefore, we request that New York enter a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service so that our state's first responders can access the same benefits as our neighboring states, providing significant benefits when it comes to enhancing public safety and disaster preparedness and response.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.

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