Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire And Capital topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Volunteer fire department seeks gear and training as capital plan prioritizes flood mitigation
Summary
The volunteer fire department asked the budget committee for funding for large‑diameter hose replacements, Scott Packs (SCBAs), driver/operator certification and vehicle replacement; staff presented a five‑year capital plan emphasizing flood mitigation and proposed a $3.6M first‑year program with grant funding expected to cover much of the cost.
The Village of Mamaroneck’s volunteer fire department told the budget committee it needs funding for equipment replacement, training and records support while village staff unveiled a five‑year capital plan that puts flood mitigation at the top of priorities.
Fire department presenter: equipment and training requests
A fire department presenter described the volunteer department’s operations and outlined several capital and operating requests: an increase in the hose replacement line (from $10,000 to $21,000) to cover large‑diameter hose that must meet test standards after failures last year; funding for a part‑time records officer to manage 800–1,000 alarms and reports annually; and $30,000 to certify roughly 17 drivers in three state apparatus operator classes (EVOC, pump ops, aerial device) so members meet current standards.
"I'm asking for an additional $11,000... I'm asking it to be raised to 21,000," the presenter said about hose funding, noting about 400 feet of large‑diameter hose failed testing last year and the department currently has about 600 feet remaining on one engine.
The presenter also discussed SCBA and Scott Pack replacement and a pending AFG grant application: "We applied for an AFG grant, which I believe it's a 90% grant… I believe we'll find out in September," he said, stressing urgency because new models and supply constraints mean early ordering is advisable.
Operational context and safety: the presenter described training cycles and physical requirements. He said NFPA‑required physicals vary by age bracket and cost roughly $700 today, possibly rising above $1,000 if additional tests are mandated. The department said it handled about 1,200 calls in the presenter’s first year and roughly 50–60 calls on I‑95 last year; structure fire counts were described as small in recent years (eight structure fires last year).
Capital budget overview and flood‑priority focus
Following the fire presentation, village staff presented a proposed five‑year capital plan and the first‑year (2025–26) capital program. Staff said the first‑year hits about $3.6 million in projects, with an estimated $2.8 million in grant support and roughly $800,000 coming from village fund reserves. Staff emphasized flood mitigation as the principal priority, listing specific projects such as Washington Mill drainage, Ward Avenue flood benching, and seawall/seawall‑related studies.
Staff noted many flood mitigation projects are multi‑year and contingent on grant processes and interagency memoranda of understanding (Army Corps, Westchester County, New York State). For example, design work for Washington Mill drainage was described as an estimate pending completion of a study due in June; Ward Avenue projects include a grant award that covers a portion of costs but leave a village co‑pay to be resolved.
Board concerns and next steps
Committee members questioned how quickly equipment could be ordered, whether grant timing requires the village to front funds, and whether vehicles already on order could be deferred or drawn from existing inventory. Staff agreed to return with detailed inventories and project timelines and suggested splitting capital review across topic‑specific follow‑up sessions (vehicles, pedestrian safety, flood mitigation).
The committee set follow‑up sessions to review capital subtopics, asked staff to supply project synopses and the status of grant applications, and adjourned the meeting.
