By JUDY RATTNER
The money is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
The village fire department will use the grant to upgrade its Scott Air-Paks to newer certified breathing apparatus that will provide for the proper protection, health and safety of its firefighters during emergencies.
"The Rockville Centre Volunteer Fire Department is grateful to Congresswoman McCarthy for her help in securing the federal grant we will use to purchase 22 Scott Air-Paks," said Chief Michael Lapkowski, explaining that the air packs are self-contained breathing equipment that enable firefighters to enter smoke-filled areas. "With this grant we will be able to replace some older equipment and maintain an adequate inventory of this crucial life-saving tool," he said.
"Rockville Centre's firefighters responded to thousands of calls last year, both in Rockville Centre and in neighboring fire districts," said McCarthy. "We cannot ask so much of these firefighters without making sure they have up-to-date equipment."
McCarthy has held an annual grants workshop to help fire departments prepare effective grant proposals. Since the first workshop in 2003, more than $3 million in Assistance to Firefighters grants have been awarded to McCarthy's 4th Congressional District firefighters.
"Since 9/11, our firefighters have been charged with new responsibilities," said McCarthy. "Congress must continue to provide local fire departments with the resources to meet these new challenges."
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