$125,000 Grant for New Fire/Rescue Boat Dockage in Piermont

PIERMONT, NY – The village of Piermont and the Piermont Fire Department are going to build a new dock at the end of the Piermont Pier for the Fire/Rescue Boat.

Piermont Fire Department, the oldest, most experienced marine response unit in the lower Hudson Valley, the sole fire department that provides service along the river throughout the winter months, and the sole department that fields a dive team, currently docks its boat at the Tappan Zee Marina in Piermont.

“Over the years, this dockage has become heavily silted in, and at low tide Piermont Fire Rescue often has less than two feet of water under its vessel's hull, which can severely impact the ability to respond quickly to marine emergency calls," Fire Department Chief, Daniel Goswick said in the announcement. "The funding that Assembly member Ellen C. Jaffee has provided will enhance our marine response capabilities, throughout the summer and winter months.”

Jaffee secured $125,000 in state Capital Improvement Project Funding to help pay for the upgrade.

“I am pleased to provide this funding that will assist our dedicated first responders, who risk their lives, no matter the season or the weather," Jaffee said. "It is essential that the Piermont Fire Rescue Unit can respond quickly to incidents on the Hudson River. In emergency situations time is of the essence. This project will greatly reduce the time it takes for the Fire Department's rescue unit to get to the scene of an emergency on the river helping to ensure the safety and security of those who travel across the river, or enjoy boating and other water sports. Most importantly, this critical construction project will help save lives.”

The dock to be constructed at the end of the Piermont Pier will enable the Piermont Fire Rescue Team to quickly access deep water on a consistent basis regardless of the tides so they can respond to emergencies on the Hudson River in a matter of minutes.

Additionally, it will enable the Piermont Fire Department to keep its primary marine response unit in the water for most of the year and possibly all year.

"Siting this dock for our River Rescue boat at the deep water end of the pier will vastly increase our response time - not by a measure of seconds, but by 10 –15 minutes," Village of Piermont Mayor Chris Sanders said. "This will have a significant impact on our ability to react to emergencies for communities and mariners on the river. I thank Assemblywoman Jaffee for helping us secure funding for this project and her steadfast dedication to our first responders."

PHOTO/ contributed