Gov. Kathy Hochul recently awarded $25 million to volunteer fire companies across the state – but none to any volunteer fire department in Suffolk County.
These funds were awarded to volunteer fire companies to improve facilities and response capabilities for volunteer firefighters. This funding is administered through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services through the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment Grant Program.
“In this year’s round of funding there were not any companies from Suffolk that received one of these grants. There were 569 applications received, totaling $243 million, with only $25 million to award - 88 total awards made,” said Heather Groll, Communications Director for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Groll said that “the Governor made clear that the State is fully committed to funding this program again in the future.”
There were applications from Suffolk County volunteer fire departments, but Groll said, ”Their score did not meet the level of points for an award. The scoring process not only evaluated the timeliness and completeness of applications but also many other factors including the department’s annual operating budget. Those with smaller annual operating budgets were given priority.”
South Shore Press asked the State for information on the threshold for “smaller annual operating budgets” but did not receive a response.
The state did not forget Suffolk County firefighters altogether. Other areas of the state budget are doing good things for the Suffolk County Fire Department community.
Governor Hochul recently announced $5.3 million to support firefighter training and a new volunteer firefighter museum on Long Island. This included $300,000 for Capital Improvements at Suffolk County Fire Academy, $1.85 million for the South Floral Park Fire Department Training Center, and $3 million for the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department Museum.
“New York's firefighters serve with unparalleled bravery and dedication," Governor Hochul said. "Every day, they risk their lives to protect others, often on a volunteer basis, and today we recognize their extraordinary contributions by investing in critical resources for these heroes.”
New York State is home to more than 1,600 volunteer fire departments, with nearly 91,000 volunteer firefighters serving their communities. On Long Island, volunteers run nearly all of the 179 departments, saving local taxpayers billions of dollars each year.
The projects that were funded outside the $25 million dedicated to volunteer fire companies are:
$300,000 for Capital Improvements at Suffolk County Fire Academy: These funds will be used to upgrade training equipment, ensuring that firefighters have access to state-of-the-art facilities as they prepare to serve their communities.
$1.85 million for South Floral Park Fire Department Training Center: This fire department, which transformed from a struggling unit with 20 members to a thriving organization of 51 volunteers in just a decade, will now have facilities that match its impact and service to the surrounding communities.
$3 million for the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department Museum: In a significant investment aimed at preserving and sharing the stories of firefighters past, present and future, $3 million will be used to repurpose a rundown local motel in Deer Park into a new Volunteer Fire Department Museum. This museum will not only honor the legacy of volunteer firefighters but also serve as an educational and community gathering space, inspiring future generations of local heroes.