Today, Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that she had secured $75,000 in state funding to purchase new equipment for the Bellevue Fire Department, including two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), several laptop computers, and new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders. Bellevue Fire Department needed the ATVs to be able to better respond to emergency calls in Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, Como Lake Park, and other nearby parks, while the new computers allow the department to comply with state requirements for processing electronic patient care reports. The new SCBA cylinders replace dated equipment and supply firefighters with oxygen for longer periods of time during active structure fires.

“Every day, volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line to save others in distress,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “I’m proud to provide this funding to help volunteer firefighters do their job more effectively and safely. Bellevue Fire Department will put the new ATVs, computers, and SCBAs to good use, and I thank them for everything that they do to help and protect the people of Cheektowaga.”

"This equipment is extremely valuable for the Bellevue Fire Department,” said Bellevue Fire Department Commissioner Gabe Casucci, who served as chief during the project to acquire the new equipment. “The new off-road vehicle will help us conduct rescues in nearby parks, the self-contained breathing apparatuses will help keep our firefighters safe in structure fires, and the laptops will allow us to remain compliant with state requirements. We would like to thank Assemblymember Wallace for her continued dedication to first responders and for working with our department to secure funding to purchase this specialized equipment."

Assemblymember Wallace has a long track record of supporting volunteer fire departments. She has secured $150,000 for South Line Fire Department to install a new emergency traffic signal system to protect firefighters exiting during emergency calls, $250,000 for Depew Fire Department to replace breathing equipment, and $125,000 for the Village of Lancaster, a portion of which goes to replacing equipment for the Lancaster Fire Department. She also helped pass legislation to create a recruitment and retention task force to fortify the ranks of volunteer fire departments.