By Gina Martinez
Queens firehouses will be getting major upgrades, thanks to city funding.
Borough President Melinda Katz and City Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) joined members of FDNY and CB7 Tuesday in Whitestone to announce that over $2 million in funding was going towards capital improvements at six Queens firehouses, including Engine 295/Ladder 144 in Whitestone, which has been in service since 1915.
Katz and Vallone allocated $375,000 for door replacements for four firehouses in northeast Queens, including Engine 306 at 40-18 214th Place in Bayside, Engine 295/Ladder 144 at 12-49 149th St. in Whitestone, Engine 297/Ladder 130 at 119-11 14th Road in College Point, and Engine 313/Ladder 164 at 44-01 244th St. in Little Neck.
“Firehouses hold New York’s Bravest, our heroes who fearlessly run toward danger and crisis when everyone else runs away,” Katz said. “Firehouses are the pillars of the neighborhood, where Queens families turn to for safety and rescue at our most vulnerable hours. In partnership with the department and leaders like Council member Vallone, we’ve issued significant capital investments this year toward important upgrades at several Queens firehouses.”
In addition to the door replacements, $500,000 was allocated by Katz for a window upgrade at Engine 275/Ladder 133 in Jamaica and $1.2 million was allocated by the borough president for a kitchen upgrade at FDNY Engine 307/Ladder 154 in Jackson Heights.
Vallone said the city owes an immeasurable debt to its firefighters and first responders.
“The best fire department in the world deserves the best in return,” he said. “This funding will go a long way to improving these firehouses and is a shining example of what can be accomplished by partnering with our fellow elected officials.”
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro thanked the elected officials for their investment.
“The department is grateful to Borough President Katz, Council member Vallone, and all of our elected officials who have provided generous support to upgrade our facilities,” he said. “This funding is not only an investment in our firehouses, it’s a commitment to help our firefighters protect all New Yorkers.”
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
