Politics & Government

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $400,000 in Grants for Local Fire Districts

New Hyde Park Fire Department to replace rescue truck in use since 1987.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced on February 2 that both the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire District and the New Hyde Park Fire District will be receiving in excess of $400,000 as part of the eighth round of FY11 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

Manhasset-Lakeville will receive a grant totaling $249,920 and the New Hyde Park Fire District will receive a grant totaling $164,295. AFG awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are designed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

“This investment will be a big help to the Manhasset-Lakeville and New Hyde Park Fire Districts,” Schumer said in a statement. “These funds will guarantee that our local first responders have tools they need to carry out their life-saving work as efficiently and safely as possible.”

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“This funding will help equip Manhasset-Lakeville and New Hyde Park Fire Districts with the necessary resources that are essential to saving lives,” Gillibrand said in a release. “I will continue working to ensure that our first responders and community residents have the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Tom Devaney, JSK Public Safety Consultants, representing the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire District, said that he wished to thank both Schumer and Gillibrand “for their assistance in obtaining the first downstate regional award ever.  The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire District in coordination with their local partners, the Great Neck Alerts Fire Company, the Great Neck Vigilants Fire Company, and the Albertson Fire Company are extremely grateful for the award of $249,000.”

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The funds will be used to purchase a driver's trainer simulator, which will also be used by the Great Neck Alert FD, Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company and Albertson FD and can train their members in all weather without putting a single vehicle on the road. This piece of equipment will be utilized by approximately 750 firefighters, operating 26 engines, eight heavy rescues and five ladder trucks.

Commissioner John Divello also thanked the senators in obtaining their award, saying that the department will be replacing a 26-year-old rescue truck with modern equipment “complaint to state and federal standards, which will serve the New Hyde Park and surrounding communities.”

New Hyde Park will use their funds to replace their old heavy rescue truck, which has been in use since 1987. Heavy rescue trucks are used for emergency road accidents.


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