Long Island fire districts set to receive nearly $2M in New York State grants

Seven Long Island volunteer fire districts and departments are set to receive nearly $2 million in state grants to help bolster service to their communities.

The money is part of $25 million in capital funding for 65 volunteer fire departments and districts across the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. The funding is intended to help fire companies make improvements to their facilities, as well as strengthen response capabilities and preparedness for emergencies, according to a news release from Hochul's office announcing the grants.

The awards are intended to help offset rising costs of equipment and construction, the news release stated. The grants are administered by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services as part of the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) program. The state awarded $25 million to 88 departments and districts in October 2024.

"Our volunteer firefighters answer the call day and night, keeping New York communities across the state safe," Hochul said in the release, calling the grant program an investment that ensures "our local heroes are equipped with modern facilities, advanced gear and tools they need to respond quickly and safely when they get the call."

The seven Long Island departments and districts chosen are: Alert Engine Hook Ladder and Hose Co. No. 1 in Great Neck; City of Glen Cove Fire Department; Halesite Fire District; Huntington Manor Fire District; the Village of Amityville Fire Department; New Hyde Park Fire District; and the Village of Lynbrook Fire Department. Each will receive grants ranging from $95,000 to $287,324.

Robert Macomber, chief of Amityville’s fire department, said the $125,000 his department is getting will be used for a new self-contained breathing apparatus fill station for the air cylinders firefighters use. He said the department's current fill station is 27 years old and "in dire need of repair."

"These grants are great for us to be able to replace these kinds of big-ticket items that we are not able to put in our regular budget," Macomber said of the award. "It’s hard to budget $125,000 on one item. We’re a small village."

Having a reliable fill station can be crucial to a fire department, he said.

"If we have a call at 2 a.m., I’m able to send a crew back to headquarters to fill 20 bottles," rather than having to call a company and wait for them to come fill up bottles at the scene, Macomber said.

The chief said the village had been trying to get grant money for the refill station for four years.

Amityville Mayor Mike O’Neill said the village is grateful for the state’s support.

"In today’s day and age, fire and EMS service is just a very expensive business that we’re in, particularly for these types of critical infrastructure and equipment," he said. "These grants just make it easier for us to support the fire department and its members."

According to the news release, half of the state — or about 9 million people — are served by volunteer firefighters. In recent years, even as calls have increased by nearly 30%, the number of volunteers in 75% of those departments have decreased, the release stated.

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.