By Lindsay Press
A group of elected officials from New York called on Governor Kathy Hochul to provide firefighters in the state with critical equipment they say they desperately need. In a letter to the governor, they urged her to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to obtain surplus items from the U.S. Department of Defense. The politicians said this would lower costs and increase emergency response capabilities.
U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-Patchogue) co-signed a letter to Hochul — along with Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point), Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), Laura Gillen (D-Garden City), Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River), Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) and Claudia Tenney (R-Watertown) — calling on Hochul to join the Firefighter Property Program. Also known as the 1706 Program, it allows New York’s fire departments to acquire excess equipment from the DoD.
“Across New York State, countless Fire Departments are struggling to obtain and maintain a variety of necessary fire and rescue equipment given the high costs of doing so,” the members wrote. “Should agencies be permitted to access this program, it would allow for the sale or donation of excess equipment that can be put to good use by first responders across their communities.”
In order to be eligible for the program, the state must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, which would then permit the acquisition of the equipment at the state and local levels. However, New York is not part of the program.
“In addition to helping reduce costs for fire departments, participation in this program would also aid departments in becoming better equipped to deal with the variety of emergency situations they face on a regular basis, such as forest fires, flooding events, and other related natural disasters,” said the members.
Long Island Life & Politics asked the governor’s office if she would take part in the Firefighter Property Program and is waiting to hear back.