Buchanan Fire Department Receives Crucial Radios Thanks to Harckham Grant
April 4, 2025
(l-r) Buchanan Fire Department Deputy Chief Stewart Bayer, Village of Buchanan Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker, Sen. Harckham, Department Chief Robert Outhouse, Department Trustee Angela Outhouse, and Firefighter Kelly Ferry, along with Nemo in the front
New radios improve communication, enhance safety, save money
Buchanan, NY - New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that Buchanan Engine Company #1 has received new portable radios that will improve communication among firefighters responding to emergencies and enhance both their safety and that of the public.
The radios were purchased with a $50,000 grant Harckham secured through the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) program.
“Firefighters and first responders require up-to-date communications equipment that help ensure their rapid response and deployment during emergencies,” Harckham said. “The new radios will significantly improve communications and help safeguard residents, local businesses and the brave first responder volunteers. Most importantly, the new radios allow firefighters to communicate among each other during incidents.”
“The new radios will help improve communication among firefighters, which is essential in emergency situations,” said Village of Buchanan Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker. “The Village of Buchanan is appreciative of the Senator’s assistance in helping to purchase this vital equipment that can potentially save lives. He has always been supportive of our community.”
“This grant allows us to replace our aging portable radio equipment while saving village taxpayers a significant amount of money,” said Chief Robert Outhouse. “The officers and members of Buchanan Engine Company #1 are deeply appreciative of Senator Harckham’s ongoing support for our department and for the fire service as a whole.”
Outhouse stated that the new 37 portable radios are a vital lifeline, connecting firefighters directly to the incident commander during critical operations. The Kenwood NX-5300 radios will replace the Motorola HT 1250 models, which have been in use for over 20 years.
Founded in 1940, Buchanan Engine Company No. 1 is a fully volunteer, independent fire company. Its service area is 1.5 square miles within the boundaries of the Village of Buchanan. There are 40 active members who staff four front line apparatus and three command vehicles. The company responded to almost 200 emergencies last year.
Since taking office in 2019, Harckham has delivered over $30 million in State Senate grant funding to grant funding to municipalities, first responders and nonprofits in the 40th Senate District.
