“The Nanuet Fire Department is pleased to accept this $38,445 award from FEMA,” said Vincent Pacella, Commissioner of Nanuet Fire District. "The award will purchase 16 sets of turnout gear that will replace turnout gear we have deemed unsafe and offers minimal protection to our members. This award will ensure all of our active members will have NFPA compliant PPE. Turnout gear is used by our members at every incident and training drill. We would like to thank Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her support of our application that will ensure the safety of our members."

The funding was allocated through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Specifically, the Village of Scarsdale located in Westchester County will receive $174,991 to purchase approximately 30 SCBA sets – air packs, 2 bottles and masks. The Nanuet Fire District located in Rockland County will receive $38,455 to purchase 16 sets of new turnout gear. The Hortonville Volunteer Fire Company located in Sullivan County will receive $14,143 to purchase new turnout gear.

Up-to-date equipment helps improve capabilities of fighting fires. It also helps improve the fire protection rating in the district.

"That has a large impact on your insurance premium that you pay for your insurance for your dwellings or houses, structures," says Mayo.

The Tucker district is rated a class 8. Response times play a big role in determining the rating.

Response times on average are five to seven minutes, but it could take longer depending on where the emergency is and how long it takes for the volunteer firefighter to get to the station.

"All 12 fire departments out in the unincorporated areas of the county, they're all volunteer so their response times are going to vary," says Mayo.

There's no one at the stations full-time and Neshoba County doesn't have the means to place someone at each location, so they continue to work on improving the system to respond faster.