PATCHOGUE, NY — A $500,000 State and Municipal grant was delivered this past weekend to the Patchogue Fire District to help pay for a new fire boat, which will enhance emergency response and protect residents along the waterways, Sen. Dean Murray's office said.
He called it a day "worth celebrating."
"Every day for the last four years, I've fought to help secure this funding and ensure these dollars were finally delivered to the Patchogue Fire District," he said. "I'm proud to stand with our firefighters as they receive this well-deserved investment in public safety."
"As a coastal community, having the equipment necessary to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies on our waterways is essential to protecting lives and property," he added.
The new boat will strengthen the Patchogue Fire District's ability to respond to fires, rescues, and other emergencies on the Great South Bay and surrounding waterways, providing an additional layer of protection for residents, boaters, and visitors, Murray's office said.
The fire district originally applied for the grant over six years ago, but some political obstacles put the funding in jeopardy, according to his office.
After Murray took office in January 2023, he learned of the challenges the district and several other fire districts were facing in getting money that had been promised to them, and made the grants a top priority.
He thanked the leadership and volunteers of the fire district "for their unwavering commitment to serving the community and applauded the patience and perseverance of everyone who worked diligently over the past several years to bring the project to completion."
He also thanked Senate Minority Leader, Rob Ortt, "who went above and beyond to help" secure the funding that was promised.
Murray said, "Our firefighters put themselves in harm's way every day to keep our community safe. This investment provides them with another critical tool to do their jobs safely and effectively. Congratulations to the Patchogue Fire District, and thank you for your continued service to our community."
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