Senator Michael Balboni has established a scholarship program to help train local EMS providers to respond to disasters. The Floral Park Fire Department will be the recipient of the first round of "Senator Balboni EMS Disaster Preparedness Scholarship Fund" awards - two $7,000 grants - that will help ensure the company's EMS unit has the tools and training necessary when disaster strikes.

"EMS providers heroically respond to, care for and transport the sick and injured everyday. Those qualifications make this group of first responders a vital part of emergency preparedness plans. The extra support provided by these scholarships will allow local EMS to get the special training and protective equipment needed to respond to catastrophes," he said.

Senator Balboni made the scholarship announcement during the Nassau Regional EMS Council annual awards dinner Oct. 26 in Baldwin. In his remarks, the senator focused on the lack of federal funding provided to EMS units, which could leave these first responders vulnerable in times of disaster. He cited the fact that EMS units nationwide are allocated just 4 percent of federal Homeland Security dollars.

While this anomaly is worked out on the federal level, Senator Balboni is doing his part to support local EMS efforts by establishing this new scholarship program.

During the awards dinner, he also presented the Nassau Regional EMS Council with a $15,000 grant to support the organization's educational conference and the annual ceremony.