Supplementing the firefighting manpower

To help supplement the firefighting efforts and emergency response of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department, the mainly all-volunteer service has been given a two-year $499,200 grant to hire four full-time firefighters.

The money made available through the federal Department of Homeland’s Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency grant program also includes $102,701 for Oyster Bay Fire Co. No. 1 and $60,084 for the Bay Shore Fire Department to improve recruitment and retention of firefighters.

“We actually put in for several grants, we never ever thought we would get this,” said LCFD Chief David Campbell, adding the department was notified earlier this month that they were awarded the grant.

Campbell said that the department will meet with a grant administrator from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to review the parameters of the grant. From what is known, qualified firefighters who are certified in emergency medical service must be hired. If the person or persons hired are military veterans, the grant is extended one year for each veteran. Time sheets must be submitted and the grant money pays the firefighters salaries and benefits.

The LCFD has 84 active members who respond to 1,300 calls per year, Campbell said, adding that the department has a very dedicated membership, whose average response time to an emergency is three minutes. The department contracts with Cedarhurst and Lawrence villages to provide fire protection to those municipalities, and services the North Lawrence Fire District, which is the commercial area by Rockaway Turnpike as well as the East Lawrence Fire District, a residential portion of the Town of Hempstead near the Woodmere Country Club.

Alex Edelman, the mayor Lawrence, said that the village is thankful for both senators efforts on behalf of the municipality. “We are greatly appreciative of anything that enhances the services that our firefighters render the community,” Edelman said.

Deputy Mayor Michael Fragin, who also serves as the liaison between Lawrence and the LCFD said: “We are very grateful that senator [Charles] Schumer and senator [Kirsten] Gillibrand for securing federal funds for our outstanding fire department.”

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency (SAFER) grants were established by FEMA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, to provide money directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighters support organizations.

“Our first responders are local heroes and the primary line of defense in emergencies,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) stated in a media release. “They put their lives on the line every day to protect our residents, property and community. It is vital that we provide them the support they need.”

SAFER’s mission is to improve the fire departments’ abilities to comply with the staffing, response and operational standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“These federal funds will help provide our firefighters on Long Island with the resources they need to respond to emergency situation,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) stated in the release. “Recruiting additional firefighters will improve response time and enhance public safety on Long Island.”