MENG FIGHTS FOR MONEY FOR MASPETH FIREHOUSE

QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) renewed her fight to help overhaul the FDNY’s Squad 288/HazMat 1 firehouse in Maspeth, Queens, following a report about the need to revamp the facility.

Over the past year, the Congresswoman has been working to secure federal funding to upgrade the firehouse. She recently obtained $2 million in a key spending bill that would pay for critical renovations in the building, and the money continues to move through the legislative process.

“We need to ensure that our brave firefighters have the resources they need to keep us safe and save lives, and that includes those at Squad 288/HazMat 1 in Maspeth,” said Congresswoman Meng. “During my recent visit to their firehouse, I saw firsthand how repairs and improvements are necessary, and I will continue pushing this crucial funding through Congress until it reaches the finish line.”

"Our firehouses have sadly been allowed to fall into deplorable states, but this funding would go a long way towards righting the wrongs at the Squad 288/HazMat 1 house,” said New York City Councilwoman Joann Ariola, Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Fire and Emergency Management. "Our heroes deserve safe, structurally sound firehouses to go back to when they aren't saving the lives of their fellow New Yorkers. This investment would help give that to the men and women of Squad 288/HazMat 1, and ensure that they can continue protecting the people of Maspeth and beyond for many years to come. Thank you to Congresswoman Meng for working so hard to secure this funding and improve the lives and safety of New York's Bravest.”

"The UFA appreciates Congressmember Meng's efforts to secure funding for the necessary and long overdue repairs to the quarters of Squad 288 and HazMat 1,” said Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) Vice President Robert Eustace. “We applaud her sense of urgency and her commitment to ensuring the safety of our City's Bravest."

The Congresswoman’s funds would go towards replacing the firehouse’s apparatus floor and overhauling its electrical and mechanical systems. The apparatus floor is the main space of the firehouse that includes its specialty vehicles, bunker gear, workbenches, tools, equipment and all other necessary items. With the firehouse dating back to 1914, these types of financial investments are essential to ensuring the facility’s longevity, and sustaining the services that Squad 288/HazMat 1 provides.

During her visit, Meng toured the firehouse, spoke with firefighters and saw the way the money she is seeking would be used. Joining her were Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, Chief of Department John Esposito and other FDNY officials.

Squad 288 and Hazmat 1 share the same firehouse at 56-29 68th Street. HazMat 1 also serves as the HazMat headquarters for the FDNY.