Harckham Secures $300K State Senate Funding for New Putnam Fire Training Center

Carmel, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham secured $300,000 in Senate grant funding for Putnam County’s new Fire Training Center, an important infrastructure project now underway here on Gipsy Trail Road in Carmel Hamlet, which will be utilized by fire departments from all municipalities with the county, as well as the surrounding region.

Along with Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, Harckham toured the site of the training center project yesterday and received a progress report. The demolition of the old training center’s burn building and fire training tower took place recently, and the entire project is expected to be completed this fall.

“Providing our first responders with the tools and resources they need is a top priority of mine,” said Harckham. “Knowing exactly what to do in a fire emergency saves lives and property, and that’s why holding real-life training opportunities at this center makes a difference for hundreds of first responders. This was a crucial investment, and I’m pleased I could provide needed support to Putnam County while also easing the burden on local taxpayers.” 

Putnam County Executive Byrne said, “This facility will be crucial in providing our firefighters and first responders with the necessary resources to effectively train and protect our communities. It’s a prime example of County government leading the way in shared services, strengthening our agencies and local volunteer efforts without adding to their budgets. This investment underscores Putnam County’s commitment to the safety and preparedness of those who protect us every day. We thank Senator Harckham for his support of the project and acquiring part of funding for this project.”

Putnam County’s new Fire Training Center will cost over $1 million. The State Senate funding Harckham was able to provide, consisting of separate grants of $200,000 and $100,000, is part of the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) program.

Initially, Putnam County was set to renovate the old Fire Training Center, its buildings unusable or offering only restricted use for over 10 years because of safety conditions, which caused county firefighting trainees and firefighters to travel to other departments for essential training. But the old center’s buildings and structures, training tower included, were exposed to many years of fire, smoke, water and extreme temperatures over its course of service, leaving them so deteriorated that new constructions were necessary.

The new Fire Training Center will be constructed with modular units that will comprise a new burn simulator building and fire tower after a concrete foundation is poured. The mask confidence building and classroom / administration building onsite may receive additions as well in the future.

The awarded State Senate’s CREST grants are administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development. Harckham has delivered more than $30 million of State Senate grant funding to municipalities, first responders and nonprofits in the 40th Senate District since taking office in 2019.