Early August, U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that nearly $2.5 million in federal funding would be allocated to 34 fire departments in upstate New York. The funding can be used for support protective gear, training and supplies for emergency personnel through FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The Kuyahoora Valley Ambulance Corp. is using its $63,000 to have a lift installed in its ambulance rig.

“To reduce workers comp injury and cost to the agency, we are going to be getting a lift installed into the ambulance so the stretcher attaches to the lift and actually lifts the patient for us into the ambulance. In the past, people would have to lift patients in manually,” said Anthony Dischiavi, the chief of the Kuyahoora Valley Ambulance Corp.

Five years ago, the volunteer ambulance was on the verge of shutting its doors due to insufficient funding. Since then, Chief Anthony Dischiavi says things have been looking up for them.

“We did contract with six out of our seven towns for funding which does pay for our paid staff during the day," Dischiavi said. "Which helps considerable being that we’re able to use our revenue recovery and donations now to keep the supplies new, keep the rigs running, you know, keep them on the road."

However, he says EMS needs to be an essential service in New York state.

“So that way small agencies like us are required to get funding for the areas that we cover," Dischiavi said. "So we can stay open and provide the quality of patient care that the people in our communities deserve. You know, we cover over 950 square miles so we’re the largest district in the state covering three counties."

Dischiavi has been a volunteer for the past 26 years, he says it’s a good way to give back to the community.

“My entire family lives in our district," Dischiavi said. "So when there’s an emergency, I want to make sure that I’m there to help somebody."

He is one of the youngest volunteers left at the department. During his tenure, he says unfortunately he has seen a significant decline in volunteerism.

“That is why we had to look at putting paid staff on during the day," Dischiavi said. "Because a lot of us volunteers that are left, we work during the day, so it would be difficult to find people to cover the calls. A lot of organizations that are volunteers are going towards that route just because unfortunately I just don’t think people have the time or want to volunteer anymore."