WAPPINGERS FALLS – The New Hamburg Fire District has received a $98,000 FEMA “Assistance to Firefighter” grant, according to District Chief Jeffrey Renihan. The grant has been used to replace 35 portable radios that were not up to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
Chief Renihan said the NFPA standard governing radios, was developed to protect emergency personnel in the hazard zone. That standard was started in 2011 after two firefighters died while battling a structure fire. The post-death investigation revealed that the microphone wires had melted and the trapped firefighters were not able to call for assistance and report their location.
Renihan credits his Captain, Jason McIntosh, with the complex task of applying for the grant, with approval of the Board of Fire Commissioners. The district would otherwise have had to take a loan out to replace the 35 radios. McIntosh spent several weeks gathering information and wrote the narrative which was submitted to FEMA.
The chief, staff and Captain McIntosh met with local radio provider, NYCOMCO, to purchase the correct portable radios that met the new standards. The Motorola radios have many advanced safety features included to provide additional protection for firefighters, including Mayday calls or orders to evacuate a building.
Renihan said that the department will be trained on the new radios prior to their use, slated for December. “This grant will save the taxpayers of the New Hamburg Fire District over $98,000, but more importantly make the job safer for the firefighters who risk their lives every day for their community,” said the chief.
