Senator Michelle Hinchey Delivers State Grant to Kingston Fire Department for Land and Water Rescue Vehicles

KINGSTON, NY – Senator Michelle Hinchey today announced that she has secured a state grant totaling more than $56,000 to help the City of Kingston Fire Department purchase two new emergency vehicles for land and water rescues. The funding has been put toward a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) and a fireboat to help members fight fires and conduct rescues in areas inaccessible to firetrucks, including on local trails, in wooded areas, and along the Hudson River. Hinchey made the announcement on Thursday at the Kingston Point Rail Trail alongside Fire Chief Chris Rea, Assistant Chief Darren Bondar, Fire Captain and President of the Kingston Professional Firefighters Bryan Cafaldo, Mayor Steve Noble, and members.

“With the opening of new rail trails and the 500-acre Sojourner Truth State Park, the Kingston Fire Department had the foresight to recognize that they needed different rescue vehicles to help get people to safety and combat outdoor disasters both efficiently and timely,” Senator Michelle Hinchey said. “The brave members of the Kingston Fire Department protect our community at all times, in all conditions, and through some of the most severe crises. I’m proud to deliver the grant funding they need to bolster their arsenal of emergency response equipment.”

“When Senator Hinchey took office, she pledged to help our community, and she’s had a consistent record of getting things done, especially for fire,” Bryan Cafaldo, City of Kingston Fire Department Captain and President of the Kingston Professional Firefighters. “With the opening of a State Park and the new walking trails within the City, it became clear we were going to need new equipment to serve the residents. Senator Hinchey made sure we received the funding to purchase a UTV as well as a rescue boat to respond to emergencies anywhere in our community. The members of the Kingston Professional Firefighters Association are grateful for this equipment which will allow us to serve both residents and visitors of the City and community. We look forward to working with Senator Hinchey in the future.”

City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said, “I thank Senator Hinchey for securing funding for the purchase of a UTV and rescue boat for our Kingston Fire Department. We rely on our first responders for many different types of emergencies in a variety of terrains. We are so grateful to be able to provide our fire department with the tools and equipment they need to be prepared for all situations, which makes us all safer.”

The awarded grant funding was secured through the State and Municipal Facilities Capital (SAM) grant program administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development. Hinchey has secured more than $1 million in SAM grant funding for firefighters in the 46th Senate District in just her first year in office.

Senator Michelle Hinchey represents the 46th Senate District, which includes Greene and Montgomery Counties and parts of Albany, Schenectady, and Ulster Counties. Senator Hinchey serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Energy and Telecommunications, Environmental Conservation, and Local Government Committees.
 

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