Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand secured $53 million in federal money to build a new fire station for the Watervliet Arsenal firefighters.

This is through funds acquired by the National Defense Bill.

The current fire station does not meet Army standards, and is needed to continue providing lifesaving emergency services, the senators said.

“Our Watervliet Arsenal firefighters risk their lives to keep both our troops and the surrounding Capital Region communities safe, and we need to make sure they have the resources and modern facilities to respond to emergencies,” Schumer said in a statement.

“Watervliet firefighters risk their lives to protect their communities and the critical Watervliet Arsenal. We owe it to them to ensure they have top-of-the-line equipment and a state-of-the-art fire station,” Gillibrand said in a statement.

Built during the War of 1812, the Watervliet Arsenal is the oldest continuously active arsenal in the United States.