Rep. Zeldin Announces Nearly $700k in Federal Funding for Local Fire Departments

PATCHOGUE, New York, Aug. 28 -- Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-New York, issued the following news release on Aug. 27:

Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) announced $692,237.43 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) for fire departments in New York's First Congressional District. These regional grants have been awarded to Brookhaven Fire District, including Center Moriches, Mastic Beach and Brookhaven Fire Departments, Montauk Fire District, Jamesport Fire District and Gordon Heights Fire District.

Congressman Zeldin said, "Our local first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect ours. When our communities were hit hard by coronavirus, they stepped up to the plate to serve their neighbors in need. They have earned nothing but our unwavering support and all of the resources they need to safely and effectively do their jobs, and this federal funding continues our efforts to deliver on that promise while steering hard-earned tax dollars into our local communities."

$446,818.18 has been awarded to Brookhaven Fire District, including Center Moriches, Mastic Beach and Brookhaven Fire Departments, for the procurement of 80 portable radios, which are carried by individual firefighters to transmit emergency messages at fires, auto accidents and EMS emergencies, and 20 vehicle mobile radios, which are permanently installed inside of mobile fire apparatus and ambulances to transmit and receive emergency messages.

Center Moriches Fire Department Fire Commissioner Brian Deedy said, "The Center Moriches Fire District and the communities it serves will benefit greatly from the addition of the communications equipment that the FEMA AFG grant will allow us to purchase. This modern equipment will improve our communications as we respond to emergencies in Center Moriches and any communities requesting our assistance. The support of the FEMA grant allows the Fire District to make this purchase with no cost to the taxpayer."

Chairman of the Brookhaven Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners Michael Verni said, "We greatly appreciate the direct support rendered on behalf of our application by Congressman Lee Zeldin. The Congressman's letter of support and understanding of our immediate communications concerns provided the difference during the FEMA review process. This vital award would not have been possible without his understanding of the issues and knowledge of the fire service needs."

Chairman of the Mastic Beach Fire Department Board Bill Biondi said, "We greatly appreciate Congressman Lee Zeldin's efforts to secure this vital award to address immediate communications concerns. This is a tremendous help to our district, residents, and community, and will help our local first responders do their jobs safely and effectively."

$106,371.43 has been awarded to Montauk Fire District for the procurement of a Power Cot System, which automatically lifts and moves the stretcher of an ambulance inside the vehicle, preventing stress and back injuries to EMS staff and protecting patient falls.

Montauk Fire District Chief Mitchell Valcich said, "With the EMS call volume and varied terrain in Montauk, the power stretchers will be a welcome addition to the operations of our ambulance Company #4 reducing possible injury to our EMTs and making patient movement safer. In addition to FEMA, I would like to thank Ex-Chief Franzone, Dawn Lucas, District Secretary and Donna Hitscherich, firefighter/paramedic for writing the grant. I know Captain Dustin Lightcap and Lieutenants Robert Mautschke and Alan Burke and all of the members of ambulance Company 4, as well as the members and visitors to our Montauk community will benefit from this grant for years to come."

$89,047.62 has been awarded to Jamesport Fire District for building alarms to detect and protect the building, equipment, vehicles and staff from fire.

The Board of Commissioners of the Jamesport Fire District said, "The Board of Fire Commissioners greatly appreciates the support of Congressman Lee Zeldin throughout this application process. To our knowledge, this is the first facility alarm AFG grant awarded on Long Island in the 20 years this program has been in existence. In light of the cost of replacing facilities, apparatus, vehicles, equipment; in addition to the loss of service to the community following a fire, this award will go a long way to protecting our members, investment, improving continuity, and reducing loss of service to the community. This facility is home to millions of dollars in radios, SCBA, PPE, and vehicles and this award recognizes this risk and our attempt to mitigate it."

$50,000 has been awarded to Gordon Heights Fire District for the procurement of a Power Cot System, which automatically lifts and moves the stretcher of an ambulance inside the vehicle, preventing stress and back injuries to EMS staff and protecting patient falls.

Gordon Heights Fire District Manager Diana Brown said, "The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Gordon Heights Fire District would like to thank Congressman Lee Zeldin for his letter of support in facilitating getting awarded a $50,000 AFG grant for the purchase of a Power Lift Cot for our ambulance."

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) helps fire departments, emergency medical service organizations, and other first responders receive the necessary equipment, vehicles, training, and other resources needed to ensure public safety. Congressman Zeldin urged full funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for Fiscal Year 2020.