Ritchie Helps Oxbow Upgrade Aging Fire Hall

State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing she has secured state funding for the Oxbow Volunteer Fire Company, which will allow it to upgrade its aging fire hall.

In providing $50,000, Senator Ritchie will help Oxbow extend its truck bay to keep critical firefighting equipment inside during the harsh winter months. The funding will also allow the fire company to update the fire hall’s kitchen and add a new bathroom.

“These necessary upgrades will allow the Oxbow Volunteer Fire Company to store its brush truck indoors, protecting it from the harsh elements of our winters, while freeing up valuable space inside its cramped truck bay,” said Senator Ritchie. “I am pleased to be able to secure this grant for a fire company that provides lifesaving services to its residents.”

“The members of the Oxbow Volunteer Fire Company are so grateful to Senator Ritchie for helping us with this grant,” said Eric King, Vice President of the Oxbow Volunteer Fire Company. “We're a small department that serves an area that is somewhat remote in the North Country. With Senator Ritchie's assistance, we can continue to provide critical firefighting services in our area as well as our neighboring fire districts.”

The Oxbow Volunteer Fire Company has been in operation for more than 100 years and with 30 volunteers, its 300-mile service area covers portions of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties.