This afternoon Congressman Lee Zeldin visited the Center Moriches Fire Department to meet with Firefighters and EMS providers.

Congressman Zeldin helped to secure two federal grants for the Center Moriches Fire District.

The first grant totaling $191,609.52 was used to purchase a total of 36 state-of-the-art self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs for firefighters, replacing their outdated equipment.

The new SCBAs will offer a wide array of advanced safety features to increase the safety and well-being of firefighters. The 36 new units will include new face masks, an air cylinder, spare backpacks and one spare cylinders for each firefighter.

The second grant awarded was a regional grant totaling $446,818.18, and will be shared between the Center Moriches FD, Mastic Beach and Brookhaven fire departments to upgrade emergency communications equipment.

Most of the existing radio equipment used by the three agencies are fifteen to twenty years old and do not meet current industry standards and necessary capabilities. The funding will be used to replace outdated, mobile, and portable radio equipment with new radio equipment that will improve response capabilities and interoperability during emergency calls.

The federal funding is being awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant helps fire departments, emergency medical service organizations, and other first responders receive the necessary equipment, vehicles, training, and other resources needed to ensure public safety.