Local fire departments slated for grant

The Lakeview, Malverne and West Hempstead fire departments were among 71 county fire departments that will collectively receive more than $650,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for updated radio equipment in order to meet a looming federal radio mandate set to take effect Jan. 1, 2013, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced last weeks.

The mandate requires that all emergency communications equipment operate on a new frequency that existing equipment does not support.

“Nassau County stands in close proximity to the New York City border, where just over 10 years ago we all learned of the importance interoperability communications is for first responders,” Mangano said. “It is this lesson that has moved us forward in technology ….   This grant demonstrates my administration’s commitment to enhancing public safety, without further burdening the taxpayer or the volunteer first responder.”

Mangano went on to thank Schumer for securing funds to support the unfunded mandate.

After the Nassau County Police Department, which operates the Emergency Ambulance Bureau through local fire department and ambulance corps, applied for the funding to meet the mandate, Schumer called on federal officials to approve the request. “This is a huge victory for Nassau fire departments that were set to get socked with huge fees to meet this federal mandate,” Schumer said.  “Now help is on the way — FEMA has agreed to pick up the tab, and Nassau taxpayers are spared the cost.”

The grant will also go to seven volunteer ambulance corps.