Seward Secures $150k for Mount Vision Fire Department

MOUNT VISION, 10/25/16 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today joined members of the Mount Vision Fire Department to announce a $150,000 state grant to assist in construction of the department’s new fire station. 

“In our small rural towns, residents look to their first responders in times of crisis and for so many other community needs year-round,” said Senator Seward.  “The Mount Vision Fire Department is a true community beacon and the new fire station will further enhance the firefighters’ ability to keep people and property safe and serve the public.”

Mount Vision Fire Department Chief Jimmy Cox said, “Our new fire station has been in the planning stages for a number of years and was a true passion for former Assistant Chief Adam Burgess.  When Adam died tragically last year, the entire department made it our mission to ensure the new fire station would be built.  We are truly grateful to Senator Seward for making Adam’s dream a reality and ensuring the Mount Vision Fire Department will have the resources necessary to protect our community.”

The $150,000 capital grant secured by Senator Seward through the State and Municipal Facilities Program is being used to construct a new fire station on Field Cross Road at the department’s Fireman’s Field.  The entire project is estimated to cost $200,000 with construction beginning in spring 2017.

The new Mount Vision Fire Department station will be built to accommodate the increasing size of today’s fire trucks and will also include a meeting hall/ kitchen that will offer a space for training seminars and community events.  The new location puts the station on higher ground away from Otego Creek.  In both 2006 and 2011, the station was evacuated due to high flood waters, with significant damage occurring in 2006.

“While the Mount Vision Fire Company is technically a volunteer department, the men and women who serve here are true professionals and their actions over the years bear that out.  It is particularly moving to see this project advance in memory of Adam Burgess who embodied the ideals of volunteerism and gave so much of himself in service to the department.  I am proud to partner with the fire department and am confident this state grant will lead to a safer community,” Seward added.

The Mount Vision Fire Company has 29 active firefighters and 6 support personnel.  The company covers calls in the Mount Vision and Laurens area and serves as automatic mutual aid to Milford and Hartwick for structure fires averaging between 60-75 calls per year.

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