Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new investments in Long Island’s volunteer firefighter community, including the South Floral Park Fire Department.
The state invested $1.85 million to expand the South Floral Park Fire Department’s Training Center. In just a decade, this department transformed from a unit with 20 members to a thriving organization of 51 volunteers. Hochul’s goal of this investment is for the department to construct facilities that match its impact and service to the surrounding communities.
“This investment in the South Floral Park Fire Department not only improves the fire department’s capabilities and training, it is an investment in the safety of our entire community,” Nyakya Brown, mayor of South Floral Park, said at a conference on Oct. 15. “I am grateful to our partners in state government for securing this transformational funding for South Floral Park.”
According to Hochul, New York is home to more than 1,600 volunteer fire departments, with nearly 91,000 volunteer firefighters serving their communities. On Long Island, she said volunteers run nearly all of the 179 departments, saving local taxpayers billions of dollars each year. At the conference, she emphasized the importance of supporting these volunteers, not only through training programs, but also by addressing their health and well-being.
At the conference, Hochul said New York’s firefighters serve with unparalleled bravery and dedication. She said every day, they risk their lives to protect others, often on a volunteer basis. She said she wanted to recognize their “extraordinary contributions” by investing in critical resources for them.
“And this fire department is a model for all that is possible,” Hochul said about the South Floral Park Fire Department.
Hochul said the department, which provides mutual aid and service for neighboring communities, deserves to have facilities that match the caliber of their impact.
“Today’s announcement brings vitally important resources to our community,” State Assembly Member Michaelle Solages said at the conference. “Our volunteer firefighters sacrifice so much to protect our communities — they should be given the necessary support to ensure they have everything they need to train for and handle emergencies. I am grateful to Gov. Hochul for her support of Long Island fire departments and to Mayor Brown and the South Floral Park Village Board for working tirelessly to deliver for our heroic firefighters.”
The Village of South Floral Park said on Facebook that they are thrilled to have been awarded this money, as part of Hochul’s initiative to support and invest in Long Island’s volunteer fire departments. They said these investments reflect Hochul’s commitment to empowering volunteer firefighters.
“This incredible funding will help enhance our facilities, improve firefighter training and provide the equipment needed to keep our community safe,” the Village of South Floral Park said on Facebook.
