This week, Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) announced that he has approved the repurposing of a $250,000 grant to support the purchase of a fire boat for the Village of Sag Harbor Fire Department.

In 2017, the Sag Harbor Fire Department was awarded a grant from the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM Funds) at the request of Mr. Thiele to expand and renovate its firehouse on Brick Kiln Road. However, the Sag Harbor Fire Department had recently made a request to Mr. Thiele to repurpose the grant for the purchase of the fire boat. The funds will instead help Sag Harbor to purchase a fire boat to be located at the Long Wharf Marina. Currently, the closest fire boat is in North Sea and has limited pumping capacity of approximately 500 gallons per minute. The Sag Harbor Fire Boat would significantly upgrade the Village Fire Department capability to respond to fire and EMS emergencies along its coastline and harbor and would also be an important firefighting asset for mutual aid responses.

Assemblymember Fred Thiele said, “Providing this necessary apparatus to the Sag Harbor Fire Department is critical to fully protect the health and safety of our community. I was happy to work with the Village Fire Department and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to provide our dedicated response team with the funding needed to more effectively protect public safety. Thanks to all our volunteer first responders on the East End and across the state for their service.”