LAGRANGE – The LaGrange Fire District has accepted a $3.5 million grant from the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program for 2021. The funding is from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and the $3.5 million grant, the largest in New York, will be used to hire eight firefighters.
“With the growth in the Town of LaGrange, both in commercial and residential, we have to be proactive to keep our high standard of excellence in public safety,” LaGrange Fire Chief Timothy O’Connor said. “Furthermore, this award allows our department to comply with National Fire Protection Association standards and codes as well as focus on enhancing the safety of the public and our emergency service personnel.”
The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to help increase the number of trained “front line” firefighters and enhance their abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association.
LaGrange was recognized as one of 300 departments nationwide whose ranks were stretched thin from increased demand and dramatic loss of volunteers.
“It has been a challenge to provide adequate manpower and resources to this growing community, but we have just gained the ability to keep pace with its needs,” Chief O’Connor said, adding that this grant would not have been possible without the cooperative efforts of the LaGrange Board of Fire Commissioners and the LaGrange Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3813.
Fire District commissioners sought concessions from their union firefighters prior to accepting the grant that will hire additional first responders. After lengthy negotiations, the district and Local 3813 reached an agreement that allowed the grant acceptance to move forward. “These firefighters are needed now more than ever,” said Local 3813 President Kyle Rancourt. “Our community has grown exponentially in the last several years, and call volume has grown accordingly.”
Grant funding will be received over a three-year period, which will pay for the immediate addition of eight firefighters. This enables the district to add two personnel to Station 1 around the clock, every day, effectively doubling the staff stationed there, and improving the fire and EMS services to the growing east side of the town, according to Chief O’Connor.
The LaGrange Fire District provides fire and EMS services to over 17,000 residents living throughout the 44-square-mile district containing a wide range of housing options, industrial facilities, large commercial complexes, and multiple special-hazard locations.
