Fishkill to announce emergency equipment purchases

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Fishkill to announce emergency equipment purchases Tuesday

FISHKILL — A $25,000 grant from the state has allowed the village to purchase state-of-the-art rescue equipment.

The formal announcement of the funding will be made during a ceremony open to the public at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the firehouse.

Village of Fishkill Fire Chief Dean Scofield said Monday the acquisition of specialized collapse rescue equipment will aid firefighters in building collapse incidents and other emergencies.

Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, secured the member item for the department and will be on hand Tuesday to receive a plaque in thanks from the department.

“Our local fire departments are on the front line of safety for our villages, towns and cities,” Saland said, in a prepared statement. “This equipment will be used to help rescue trapped firefighters, as well as help firefighters extricate others who may be trapped in cars and buildings.”

Scofield said the purchases includes concrete breaking and cutting equipment, emergency shoring struts, high- and low-pressure airbags and a portable cart with cylinders of air to operate pneumatic tools.

The firehouse is at 1132 Main Street.