New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) recently approved the repurposing of a $250,000 grant to support the purchase of a fire boat for the Village of Sag Harbor Fire Department.
In 2017, the Sag Harbor Fire Department was awarded a grant from the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM Funds) at the assemblyman’s request to expand and renovate its firehouse on Brick Kiln Road. However, the Sag Harbor Fire Department had recently made a request to Thiele to repurpose the grant for the purchase of the fire boat. The funds will instead help Sag Harbor purchase a fire boat to be located at the Long Wharf Marina. Currently, the closest fire boat is in North Sea and has a limited pumping capacity of approximately 500 gallons per minute. The Sag Harbor Fire Boat would significantly upgrade the Village Fire Department capability to respond to fire and EMS emergencies along its coastline and harbor and would also be an important firefighting asset for mutual aid responses.
“Providing this necessary apparatus to the Sag Harbor Fire Department is critical to fully protect the health and safety of our community,” Thiele said. ”
I was happy to work with the Village Fire Department and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to provide our dedicated response team with the funding needed to more effectively protect public safety. Thanks to all our volunteer first responders on the East End and across the state for their service.”