Hochul Announces Leeds Hose Company Grant

LEEDS - The air of mystery surrounding a visit by Governor Kathy Hochul to Leeds Hose Company No. 1, last Friday morning, dissipated into loud cheers and applause when the Governor announced the century-old volunteer firefighting unit would be receiving a $1 million grant.

Hochul, noting the funding was part of a new $25 million Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) grant program, lauded volunteers in the Greene County squad and statewide, saying, “our firefighters shouldn’t have to wait for upgrades and training.

“You need to have the resources to match the vital impact you have in your communities,” Huchul said, drawing more hurrahs when she added, “let’s do this every year,” wanting to make the dollars business as usual.

“To family members who have to have dinner alone and are waiting for their father or mother to come home, please know how grateful I am. I am so impressed and proud of all of you who stand up,” Hochul said.

Established by Senator Michelle Hinchey in the 2024 State Budget, V-FIRE supports volunteer fire departments statewide with grants for essential equipment and infrastructure upgrades to improve emergency response. 

Eighty-eight volunteer fire departments across the state of New York have been awarded funding through round one of the program. The full list of awardees can be found on the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website.

“I championed the V-FIRE grant program to address a critical need—volunteer firehouses across New York State are struggling to afford the equipment and infrastructure upgrades they need to best serve our communities and protect themselves on the job,” Hinchey stated.

“These grants are more than a boost; they’re a lifeline, making many of these vital capital upgrades possible that would otherwise be out of reach. 

“I’m thrilled that the first round of funding is officially going out the door, and I’m committed to fighting for more next year to ensure this support reaches more firehouses statewide, especially here in the Hudson Valley,” Hinchey stated.

Greene County Emergency Services director John Farrell had a front row seat for the Governor’s announcement, joined by Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray, Assemblyman Chris Tague and Hinchey.

“What a great day,” Farrell stated. “Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of emergency response in many of our towns and rural areas, like Greene County.

“They are made up of individuals who dedicate their time and energy, often at great personal sacrifice,” Farrell stated. 

“The [V-Fire] grant is structured to support departments made up of 100 percent volunteers. It emphasizes our recognition of the unique challenges these teams face,” Farrell stated.

“By targeting volunteer departments specifically, we ensure the funding goes directly to those who need it most,” Farrell stated.

“This targeted support alleviates some of the financial burdens these departments often experience, allowing them to redirect their limited resources toward essential infrastructure and life-saving equipment,” Farrell stated.

Leeds Hose Company No. 1 fire chief Cliff VanKleeck was in attendance as were members from Leeds and numerous other agencies across the State.

VanKleeck posed with Governor Hochul and Senator Hinchey for the presentation of the ceremonial, over-sized $1 million check.

The fire chief had been as much in the dark as anyone about the precise details of the Governor’s trip to the small Greene County town. 

While preparations for the massive press conference at the Main Street firehouse were impossible to hide, and it was known some money was arriving, “none of us had any clue about the amount,” VanKleeck said. 

“We were only told on Tuesday [of this week] that something was coming,” VanKleeck said, explaining the department applied for the funding in April.

None of that mattered when the Governor revealed the number. “This is going to be absolutely phenomenal for the community,” VanKleeck said.

“This will bring everybody together. It is opening a whole new world for everyone in Leeds,” VanKleeck said. It is expected that safety and efficiency upgrades will be made to the fire station, built in 1974.