By Kenneth C. Crowe II
The Times Union
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. — A $750,000 state grant will pay for 1,940 pagers to equip Rensselaer County’s volunteer firefighters and ambulance squad members when the county’s $20 million emergency radio system goes online at the end of the year.
State Sen. Kathleen Marchione, R-Halfmoon, was surrounded by nearly 100 volunteer first responders at the new Defreestville Fire Station on Wednesday when she announced the grant she had secured to purchase the pagers.
“People don’t realize the billions of dollars saved each year due to all you do for us,” Marchione told the volunteers from around the county.
The $750,000 in state funds brings to nearly $20 million for the entire project the county is completing to provide nearly 100 percent emergency radio coverage.
The county has $19,175,466 budgeted for the project. The local firefighters have supported getting the new system operational to provide better response to emergencies.
“We support day in and day out the men and women of our emergency services,” County Executive Kathleen Jimino said, calling the new grant a means for ensuring they can respond quickly to residents’ calls.
Legislature Chairman Stan Brownell, R-Hoosick, said the new communications system will eliminate dead spots in radio coverage, especially in rural Rensselaer County.
“These pagers are a vital part of our emergency services efforts,” said County Legislator Thomas Walsh, R-Brunswick, who chairs the Public Safety Committee.
The Rensselaer County Fire Chiefs Association and the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York worked with Marchione to secure the funding.
North Greenbush Supervisor Lou Desso said the grant will provide relief for local taxpayers, who support the fire companies.
Fire companies will save an average of $20,000 each by not having to purchase pagers out of their budgets, said Chief Gary Roberts, first vice president of the county chiefs and first assistant chief of theSouth Schodack Fire Department.
The savings can be applied to other equipment needs. Speigletown Fire Chief Bill Maloney said his department will be able to buy new gear for 10 firefighters.
Copyright 2016 the Times Union