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Politics & Government

New Hyde Park Fire District Receives Grant Money

Seven fire districts get grants for training.

Seven Nassau County fire districts received more than a half-million dollars in total federal grants this month, one of those fire districts being the .

“These grants were never pursued before,” said current Fire Commissioner . “We never did that in the past because people that were in power did not feel that it was necessary, but we feel that we pay enough taxes and we wanted more grant money.”

The New Hyde Park Fire District received $5,000-$6,000 worth of grant money from that the fire department used to buy gas meters, Stein said.

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“Essentially there was a need for the multi-gas detectors," Nicolello said. "What it does is, when [the firefighters] go into a situation where they don’t know what possible gasses or substances are within the dwelling, they pull out this device and is has a broad spectrum of types of gasses that it can identify and tell them what they are facing,” 

Nicolello said this was an example of Stein pushing him to work together and get the money for the fire department, which Nicolello ultimately did. 

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“We also got a grant from the government and we used that for improving the grounds a program for paramedics,” Stein said.

The New Hyde Park Fire District received $99,000 for paramedic training for four members, as well as turnout gear and repairs to the fire houses.

Stein, who reached out to Nicolello personally to get the grant money said, “We are actively pursuing grants.”

“It’s actually a smart thing to do,” Nicolello said. “Otherwise whatever they do has to come out of the local taxpayers pocket, but they can get money from the county, state and federal government.”

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