On Aug. 18 U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced thousands in federal funding for 12 southern Albany County fire departments. The Berne Fire District (Berne and East Berne Fire Companies), Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company, Guilderland Center Fire Department, Knox Fire Department, Medusa Fire Department, New Salem Fire Department, Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company, Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-Village Fire Company, Voorheesville Fire Department, and the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company are among those getting money from the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program’s (AFG) Fire Prevention & Safety Program (FP&S). “These much-needed federal funds will enable fire departments throughout Albany County to train fire investigators and purchase the critical supplies they need to do their jobs effectively,” Schumer said in a press release.