Central Islip fire chief praises grant

Saying his department will now be able to replace antiquated safety gear, Central Islip Fire Department Chief Phil Falco on Thursday praised an announcement that his department had been awarded a federal grant worth more than $300,000.

Falco thanked Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, President Barack Obama and Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) for helping to ensure "that the safety of our nation's firefighters is a top priority."

The money comes from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It totals $311,850, Schumer said.

It will help ensure faster response times to emergencies and create safer conditions for volunteers, officials said.

It was not immediately clear what kind of equipment the department planned to purchase with the grant money. But Falco said self-contained breathing apparatus will be high on the list.

He said volunteers will be better able to battle blazes and be safer with such gear. He also said the grant will help reduce the tax burden on area families.

In a statement this week, Schumer said: "This essential grant ensures that fire departments in Central Islip will continue to have the basic resources required to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives."