Center Moriches Fire Dept earns federal grant

Congressman Lee Zeldin recently announced $692,237.43 in Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants for fire departments in New York’s First Congressional District. These regional grants have been awarded to Brookhaven Fire District, including Center Moriches, Mastic Beach and Brookhaven fire departments, Montauk Fire District, Jamesport Fire District and Gordon Heights Fire District.

“Our local first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect ours,” Zeldin said. “When our communities were hit hard by coronavirus, they stepped up to the plate to serve their neighbors in need. They have earned nothing but our unwavering support and all of the resources they need to safely and effectively do their jobs, and this federal funding continues our efforts to deliver on that promise while steering hard-earned tax dollars into our local communities.”

Brookhaven Fire District was awarded $446,818.18, which includes Center Moriches, Mastic Beach and Brookhaven fire departments, for the procurement of 80 portable radios, which are carried by individual firefighters to transmit emergency messages at fires, auto accidents and EMS emergencies, and 20 vehicle mobile radios, which are permanently installed inside of mobile fire apparatus and ambulances to transmit and receive emergency messages.

“The Center Moriches Fire District and the communities it serves will benefit greatly from the addition of the communications equipment that the FEMA AFG grant will allow us to purchase,” said Brian Deedy, Center Moriches Fire Department fire commissioner. “This modern equipment will improve our communications as we respond to emergencies in Center Moriches and any communities requesting our assistance. The support of the FEMA grant allows the fire district to make this purchase with no cost to the taxpayer.”