KINGSTON – The City of Kingston has received a $56,000 state grant, with the help of Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-Saugerties) to purchase a new rescue UTV and a mobile rescue boat to help on some freshwater tributaries leading to the Hudson River or rescues on the river itself.
Kingston Fire Chief Chris Rea said the UTV will help with rescues on the rail trail and to transport victims to awaiting ambulances on the nearby streets along the pedestrian and cycling corridor. “The rail trail is approximately six miles. Access for a fire truck is not readily available,” said Rea. “The vehicle will come out onto the trail and go whichever way it needs to go to the incident, and the fire truck will follow behind on the streets.”
“It’s really important for us to ensure first responders have the tools and equipment they need to do their jobs,” said Hinchey. “What we’ve seen through the pandemic is important outdoor space is and outdoor recreation.”
The UTV will help at events, such as service during recent the Hooley on the Hudson, over the Labor Day weekend, and on a city rail trail that connects to the new 500-acre Sojourner Truth State Park, just north of the city’s beaches and recreational areas along the Hudson River.
