$1M grant to replace City of Poughkeepsie fire equipment

The City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department will be able to replace decades old equipment using $1 million in grant money, according to Mayor Rob Rolison.

Half of the money, about $500,000, will go toward replacing Engine 2, the "busiest" engine in the district, Rolison said.

"In 2015, Engine 2 responded to 1,988 calls and already 1,594 calls as of today in 2016," Fire Chief Mark Johnson said in a press release.

Engine 2 is the department's Firefighter- Assist- Search Team, or FAST engine, which is meant to assist in mutual aid with other local towns, Johnson said. Engine 2 also carries the "jaws of life" and other rescue equipment, Johnson said.

"This much needed financial assistance ... will allow us to replace a 20-year-old piece of fire equipment," Johnson said in the release.

The rest of the grant will go toward replacing tower ladder 2, according to Rolison. Replacing the ladder would cost about $1.2 million, so the remaining grant money will be saved and combined with money from the 2017 budget to cover the cost, Rolison said.

"Public safety is the first priority of government," Rolison said in a press release. "These are major capital costs affecting public safety that our city cannot afford at this time."

The grant was accounted for in the 2016 City of Poughkeepsie budget, Rolison said. Rolison and State Assemblyman Frank Skartados announced the use of the grant money at an event Tuesday.

"It’s critical that our cities and neighborhoods have access to resources needed to protect our community," Skartados said in a press release for the event, adding that, "It is our responsibility to make sure families here are safe and protected."

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW