FEMA Approves $3.8M for Hudson Valley Fire Department Upgrades

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approves $3.8 million in grants on January 8, 2026, to fire districts and emergency responders in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties, funding equipment upgrades, training and staffing initiatives. Congressman Pat Ryan said he secured the funding through FEMA, framing the awards as investments in community safety.

“These are landmark investments in the Hudson Valley’s community safety – from updated emergency rescue equipment to bolstered hiring and training programs, we’re all-hands-on-deck to ensure that our first responders are ready for whatever call they may receive,” Ryan said.

Recipients named by federal officials include Fairview Fire District at $312,380; the Village of South Blooming Grove at $354,022; the City of Port Jervis at $533,087; Arlington Fire District at $255,836; the Town of Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. at $45,476; West Clinton Fire District at $44,476; and Esopus Fire District at $95,080. Arlington Fire District also received a separate SAFER grant of $2.1 million aimed at expanding staffing capacity.

Arlington Chief Adam Kangas said the grant funding “will significantly enhance our ability to provide specialized training to our members and increase staffing on our fire engines and emergency response units.” That statement highlights how the awards are intended to move beyond equipment purchases toward investments in personnel and training.

For local residents, the awards could translate into more robust emergency coverage, faster specialized responses and potentially reduced need to tap municipal tax reserves for capital purchases. Federal grants such as these typically relieve immediate budgetary pressure on town and district budgets, allowing officials to redirect limited local funds to other services or long term needs.

The funding also underscores the role of federal support in sustaining volunteer and career fire services across the Hudson Valley. Many departments rely on a mix of local revenue and intermittent federal or state grants to replace aging equipment, meet training requirements and maintain adequate staffing levels. The SAFER grant to Arlington signals a focused effort to address staffing shortfalls that can affect response times and coverage.

Local officials and residents will be watching implementation and spending plans as the departments deploy the funds. Transparent reporting on how equipment, training and personnel investments are prioritized will shape public confidence in emergency services and inform future civic engagement on budgeting and public safety priorities.