The federal government may pick up the cost of the Hornell Fire Department’s next new pumper truck, saving city taxpayers more than $800,000.
Mayor John Buckley told the the Board of Public Safety last week that the city has picked up two key allies in its pursuit of federal dollars to cover the total cost of the new rig.
Buckley said Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy and Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand have each recommended that Hornell’s application for funding through Congressional directed spending be approved by federal lawmakers.
The fire department is currently at the halfway point of replacing two older rigs that date from 1997 and 2005.
Hornell officials have said having up-to-date, safe, reliable vehicles and equipment is vital to providing the high level of public safety services residents rely on.
The first of two E-One pumpers purchased to replace one of the aging trucks was delivered to the fire department in February 2025 and placed in service as the new Engine 83.
The second pumper is on order with an expected delivery in the first quarter of 2027, likely in April, according to Hornell Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski.
Altogether, the city was expected to spend about $1.6 million on the trucks, with financing achieved through reserve funds, unrestricted fund balance and borrowing.
How federal funding may be funneled to Hornell
Hornell officials indicated back in 2024 that the city would seek financing help from the federal government to offset some of the local cost of the new trucks.
U.S. Congressional directed spending, widely known as “earmarks” or “Community Project Funding,” is a process that allows members of Congress to request that federal funds be set aside for specific projects in their home states or district.
According to Buckley, both Gillibrand and Langworthy have included Hornell’s request on their “list” of projects they are seeking to have funded through Congressional directed spending.
“If it is successful that truck will be fully funded so we don’t have to shoulder that cost locally,” Buckley said.
Buckley was philosophical about not being on Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer’s list of earmark recommendations.
“We didn’t make Sen. Schumer’s list unfortunately, but as Meatloaf once sang, ‘two out of three ain’t bad,’” Buckley said.
Why city is optimistic federal funding will come through
The request now goes to Congressional appropriators, with the city hopeful the funding will be approved before the end of the year.
Buckley said he always approaches funding announcements with optimism “because I believe we make compelling cases.”
The mayor told The Evening Tribune, “With (the) Hornell Fire Department being the only full-time department in the immediate area which provides frequent coverage to neighboring municipalities, there’s certainly justification for funding assistance as the department doesn’t exclusively provide services to city residents. Many others benefit as well.
“I’m deeply appreciative of Congressman Langworthy and Senator Gillibrand’s support and recommendations of funding for this important and expensive piece of equipment.”
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Langworthy, Gillibrand go to bat for Hornell as city seeks FD funding
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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By Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune | USA TODAY Network
