Binghamton, NY, witnessed a significant development for its fire department on March 15, 2024, as Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, alongside Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, Fire Chief Alan Gardiner, and Training Instructor Tim Dahulich, announced the acquisition of new firefighter gear.
The equipment was funded by a $150,000 Assembly grant secured by Assemblywoman Lupardo, aiming to enhance the safety and efficiency of the city’s first responders.
The grant facilitated the purchase of 30 complete sets of turn-out gear for the firefighters, including helmets, cancer-barrier prevention hoods, coats and pants, gloves, boots, and bail out systems.
This move comes as a timely update for 30 of the department’s 117 firefighters, whose gear was nearing the end of its recommended service life.
According to the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1971, firefighter turn-out gear is advised to be replaced every ten years to maintain safety and performance standards.
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo highlighted the importance of the initiative: “Making sure that our first responders have updated equipment is a high priority for me.
“This is especially important for firefighters whose turn-out gear is replaced every ten years.
“We are grateful to our firefighters for risking their own safety to protect the community and have an obligation to help keep them safe.”
Mayor Jared Kraham expressed his appreciation for the funding and its impact on the fire department’s operational capabilities: “Our first responders deserve to know the equipment they rely on every day meets the highest standards and will help keep them safe.
“My thanks to Assemblywoman Lupardo for securing this funding. This new gear will allow the men and women of the Binghamton Fire Department to continue working to protect residents and do their jobs safely.”
Fire Chief Alan Gardiner also emphasized the critical role of proper gear in ensuring the safety of firefighters and, by extension, the community they serve: “Every day our firefighters risk their lives to protect city residents from dangers we hope they never face.
“Protecting our firefighters is a top priority for the city of Binghamton. Turn-out gear is an integral part of a protective envelope firefighters don in the event of an emergency.
“Most importantly, it enables firefighters to perform their duties and work in dangerous environments most of us wouldn’t consider.
“It is critical this gear meets or exceeds the standards set by the National Fire Protection Agency to afford the utmost protection for our firefighters.
“I would like to thank Assemblywoman Lupardo for securing these funds, it will go a long way in providing new gear for our firefighters.”
