Hinchey Delivers State Grant to Tivoli Fire Company for Firehouse Expansion, Red Cross Shelter Certification

TIVOLI, NY – Senator Michelle Hinchey today announced that she has secured a $100,000 state grant to help the Tivoli Fire Company upgrade its existing firehouse and add a new addition to the property to better serve the health and safety of firefighters, the community, and ensure the firehouse fulfills all of the requirements needed to become a Certified Red Cross Shelter. Hinchey made the announcement on Wednesday at the Tivoli Fire Company alongside Mayor Joel Griffith, Fire Chief Marc Hildenbrand, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Hudson Valley Chapter John Vale, and members of Tivoli Fire Company.

The funding will be put toward a 4,000-square-foot extension of the existing firehouse, originally constructed in 1985, which will include a new bay for fire and EMS trucks, a LULA lift, a command center to transmit emergency communications between first responders and agencies, and code compliant showers to ensure that firefighters can properly decontaminate after returning from a fire. The grant furnished by Hinchey will also be put towards the construction of a state-of-the-art Certified Red Cross Shelter to meet a vital regional need that will provide residents with a safe place to stay out of harm's way during extreme weather events and other emergencies. The Red Cross Shelter at Tivoli Fire Company will be delivered in partnership with the American Red Cross of the Hudson Valley and, once complete, will also allow for the firehouse to become a water distribution center in times of need as well as provide a space to conduct certified training and workshops for local residents and volunteer members, including First Aid, CPR, and childcare preparedness, among other functions. 

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “The brave members of the Tivoli Fire Company put their lives on the line to protect their community, and I’m incredibly proud to deliver a $100,000 capital grant to help the department reach their goals of building a new, critically needed firehouse and Red Cross Shelter. These upgrades are not only essential to community safety but to attracting and retaining dedicated members now and into the future, and it is an absolute privilege to support this firehouse expansion.”

Tivoli Mayor Joel Griffith said, "On behalf of the Village of Tivoli, we are incredibly grateful for Senator Hinchey's commitment and investment in the Tivoli Firehouse expansion, particularly to support the Red Cross Shelter. Our Village relies on the fire, medical and mutual aid services day in and day out, and this expansion is a critical piece to serving our residents, businesses, Bard College, and significant parts of Red Hook."

Tivoli Fire Company Assistant Chief Marc Hildenbrand said, "Since the Tivoli Firehouse endured a devastating fire years back, we have been dedicated to rebuilding, both in growing our volunteer department to now one of the largest in the region and expanding our training and mutual aid. The commitment that our State Senator Michelle Hinchey has made today is one more essential step forward in realizing our expansion to not only support our entire service area but to invest back in these incredible volunteers donating countless hours that our families, neighbors, and friends rely on each and every day." 

The Tivoli Fire Company, one of the largest volunteer firehouses in upper Dutchess County, has more than sixty volunteer members who serve the Village of Tivoli, most of the Town of Red Hook, and Bard College while simultaneously providing mutual aid to the towns of Germantown and Clermont. As Northern Dutchess County’s population continues to increase, the Tivoli Fire Company must have the continued ability to provide the essential services that communities depend on. The capital funding secured by Hinchey will support the upgrades and renovations needed to achieve that goal while helping the fire department continue to increase the ranks of its membership. The grant funding was secured through the Local Community Assistance Program administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).
 

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