A new push tonight to better fund the West Point Fire Department after it saw major cuts under the Army’s budget last year. 

Senator Charles Schumer held a news conference Wednesday outside of the military academy in Orange County, calling on the federal government to immediately provide funding for the base’s fire department. 

Schumer says West Point requested almost $2 million dollars last year to replace outdated equipment that failed inspection but instead got less than $100,000. 

“I am now asking the Army’s top brass to use the federal funding I secured for the DoD – in the recently passed omnibus appropriations bill – to make sure these budget shortfalls stop now,” said Schumer. “We must give our West Point firefighters the resources they need and deserve to protect our service members who protect our nation.”

The West Point Fire Department serves 6,500 military families and students living on base and provides mutual aid for surrounding communities in Orange County.