The Tarrytown Fire Department will get a federal boost to help their training initiatives.
Today, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced the White Plains Fire Bureau and Tarrytown Fire Department will receive federal grants for equipment and training.
“First responders serve their communities by responding to emergencies and helping those in need of assistance,” said Congresswoman Lowey, who is a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
“It is our responsibility to ensure they have the equipment and training they need to help keep us – and themselves – safe. I am pleased the Department of Homeland Security is addressing these needs in White Plains and Tarrytown.”
According to Lowey's press spokesperson, Matt Dennis, the Tarrytown Fire Department will receive $413,811 in funds.
Lowey also announced a payment to the White Plains Fire Bureau will use the funding to purchase thermal imaging cameras for use while battling blazes. The cameras allow firefighters to find victims and reconnect with each other if they become separated in a smoke-filled environment.
In a released statement, Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell thanked Lowey for helping secure the grant, and the work of Fire Chief Pete Saracelli, grant-writer Martin Schneider and Village Administrator Michael Blau, for their work advocating for the grant.
“On behalf of the Village of Tarrytown, I wish to thank Congresswoman Lowey for her assistance in securing this support for our hard-working volunteer fire department," Fixell said. "In times like these, when local governments are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain and enhance essential, life-protecting services such as these, it’s impossible to overstate how important this grant is to our department and our community. Its impact will be felt throughout the department, allowing us to upgrade a wide-range of mission-critical equipment, as well as to enhance training."
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Grants and Training in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration, awards grants directly to fire departments and EMS agencies. Funds may be used to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical service programs, fire prevention and safety programs, and to purchase new fire equipment.
We are very lucky that we have not had anyone injured at fires and with fire prevention and building codes being enforced fires are at a minimum Our small villages are going to have to realize that the total cost of the police and fire departments will eventually bring them to ruin.
Tarrytown FD is a good Department--does it need to be brought up to date of course, can you changes a few things to make it better again the answer is yes. hopfully this grant can move them in the right direction.
Do you know how many times the pagers fail and we are notified by that whistle? Do you know that we get new trucks every 20 years because of a standard we have to follow? Do you know how much hard work and dedication it takes to be an active volunteer firefighter? Did you know that the Tarrytown FD responds to over 500 alarms a year and we do it for FREE? You said we are too stupid to understand the training we get. Maybe you are too ignorant to understand what a fantastic service we provide to you. Once and a while a truck will go out with 2 guys on it, but did you know that we take our personal cars to scenes to meet the truck and we use OUR OWN GAS to do so? Maybe you can afford the tax increase but the rest of us cant. So, I suggest you get off your high horse and say "thank you" instead of complaining.