ALBANY, NY - Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick criticized the final state budget for failing to include meaningful support for Long Island’s volunteer fire departments through the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment program, known as V-FIRE.

“Budgets are a reflection of our priorities,” said Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick. “When the alarm sounds, our volunteer firefighters show up for us. V-FIRE funding is about making sure New York shows up for them. It is unacceptable that this budget fails to stand up for our Long Island fire departments.”

Volunteer fire departments across Long Island provide essential emergency services while facing rising costs for equipment, infrastructure, training, safety gear, and facility upgrades. Many departments are also working to recruit and retain volunteers at a time when emergency response demands continue to grow. 

The V-FIRE program would help volunteer fire departments make critical investments in the equipment and infrastructure they need to protect their members and serve local communities safely and effectively. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick cosponsors bipartisan legislation with Senator Rhoads, S8700A, that would ensure Long Island volunteer fire departments receive their fair share of this grant funding.

“Our volunteer firefighters save lives, protect homes, and respond in some of the most dangerous moments imaginable,” Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “They do this while saving taxpayers millions of dollars and strengthening public safety in every community they serve. The state should be doing more to support them, not leaving them behind.”

Despite hundreds of volunteer fire departments that applied for the last round of V-FIRE funding not receiving funds through the program, this year’s state budget allocated $5 million less to the program than last round. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said she will continue advocating for dedicated state funding to support volunteer fire departments throughout Nassau County.

“Supporting volunteer fire departments should not be controversial,” Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “This is about public safety, local service, and making sure the men and women who answer the call have the tools they need to come home safely.”