Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick Join Efforts to Help Kings Park Fire Department Expand

In a move that will enhance safety throughout the Kings Park area, Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) and Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (7^th Assembly District) have announced that the state has agreed to transfer a parcel of land on the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center property to the Kings Park Fire District (KPFD).

The legal transfer, which was sponsored by Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick in their respective houses of the legislature and signed into law on August 26^TH, will enable the fire district to build a substation at the site and provide better service the Kings Park residents.

The land that will be transferred is 2.68 acres on the west side of St. Johnland Road just east of Kings Park Boulevard.  This site was chosen due to its access to St. Johnland Road which runs through the complete district and will give responding personnel a quicker route to emergencies throughout Kings Park.

“By transferring this land to the Kings Park Fire District, the state is helping these volunteers maximize their efforts while protecting the taxpayers from the cost of purchasing a viable and ideally situated property.  That is a great use of this public land and should send a clear sign to the community that the state is finally moving forward with this property.  I thank Parks Commissioner Carol Ash for her assistance with this transfer and look forward to seeing this new substation become a reality for the community,” stated Senator Flanagan.

According to district officials, the substation will house at least one engine and one ambulance to serve the residents of the Kings Park region.  Additionally, the plan also includes placing their rescue boat and water rescue apparatus at the site to expand and enhance the district’s ability to respond water emergencies.

The site is also large enough to allow the KPFD to install a buffer around the new facility and allow them to be good neighbors in their new home.

“This is a win-win for the people of the community and the volunteers who make up our department.  This transfer will allow the fire district to place equipment right where it is needed and put us in a better proximity to the water to initiate marine rescues when needed.  That will lead to better response time and more effective protection of those we serve,” said James Starke, the Chairman of the Kings Park Fire Commissioners.  “I thank Senator Flanagan, Assemblyman Fitzpatrick and Parks Commissioner Carol Ash for their efforts and for working together for the community.”

As a condition of the transfer, the legislation states that the property must be utilized for the exclusive purpose of building a substation and any other use will cause the land to revert back to the state.

“This is great news for the residents of Kings Park.  Fire Department volunteers and officials provide outstanding emergency and first responder services to the residents of Kings Park and this legislation will be critically important in enabling the department to deliver expanded services as Kings Park continues to grow in the future,” added Assemblyman Fitzpatrick.  “This legislation is a small token of our appreciation for their valiant efforts and I am pleased to have played a role in making this happen.”