Legislator Bill Gaylor secures thousands in funding for Valley Stream fire department upgrades

The Village of Valley Stream and the Valley Stream Fire Department were awarded $10,500 by Legislator Bill Gaylor for new equipment. Gaylor and the department met for a check presentation on April 10.

The money was awarded for the purchase of two Quickee 20-inch High Flow Jet PPV ventilation fans. The battery-operated fans are attached to the trucks and are used to help clear smoke and carbon monoxide from fire-stricken areas. They provide positive pressure ventilation at fire and rescue scenes and will now require less manpower and equipment to be used during calls. They cost about $5,000 each.

The fans were paid for by Community Revitalization Project funds, which have been used for numerous things around Valley Stream to help improve the village.

“We have five different fire houses in town and I believe all the trucks will be getting these fans now,” said Valley Stream Fire Department media liaison Brian Grogan. “Not every single truck can be at every single call or fire. So, this will make sure that we’re able to get the smoke and carbon monoxide out with the trucks that we do have during any call.”

Before the donation, the department had a few trucks with the fans, but most did not have any. Now, each truck is expected to have one of the fans, ready for use, according to Grogan.

The fans are just about backpack-sized and are placed on the trucks, where they are able to be removed and moved wherever they are needed. They can be carried into the location of the fire and set down.

Grogan said weeks could go by without use of the fans and it all depends on the fire and each individual situation. The fans are needed, he said, for time-sensitive situations when fires must be contained and put out quickly. The fans can also be used to prevent smoke and heat from entering stairwells and hallways and act as a mass cooling device to bring down the heat.

The Valley Stream Fire Department currently has four engine companies, two truck companies, a rescue company and a ladies auxiliary. The department is all volunteers.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every time they answer a call,” Legislator Bill Gaylor said. “I am happy to provide any equipment that can help them make their jobs easier. Thank you, firefighters, for all you do.”