Piermont Fire Department Wins $72K Coronavirus Grant

PIERMONT, NY — The Piermont Fire Department will receive $72,900.95 through the federal coronavirus relief act for personal protective equipment and related supplies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Piermont is a small village that relies on a 100 percent volunteer Fire Department and EMS service. It has been challenging to manage the additional COVID protocols on regular calls as well as the volume of COVID calls, while keeping our residents as safe as possible,” said Mayor Bruce Tucker. "Securing appropriate PPE and sanitizing supplies has created an enormous unforeseen expense, and without this support, we might not be able to provide the safest level of care for our residents, and safest conditions for our First Responders throughout this crisis."

The small supply of PPE that Piermont had on hand went quickly when the outbreak began in March. It was distributed to at-risk residents and essential employees in the village and used on emergency response calls, Tucker said.

Rep. Nita Lowey announced the award, which comes from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, on Tuesday.

"Firefighters are essential workers who support our communities across the Lower Hudson Valley,” Lowey said in a statement. “In all cases, but especially during a pandemic, it is absolutely critical that our first responders get the equipment they need to protect themselves and help others. I am grateful that our firefighters are receiving resources to not only keep themselves safe, but also continue to ensure the health and safety of the public."