The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center announced the receipt of a grant of $1.3 million from Nassau County. The funds will be applied to initial construction costs of a 4,500-square-foot museum in a former aircraft hanger on the grounds of Museum Row in Uniondale. The space will include educational and historic displays of vintage and current firefighting apparatus and equipment, as well as a state-of -the-art fire safety education center, designed to teach Nassau residents of all ages how to prevent fires and fire-related injuries and deaths. The funding was approved by two committees and the floor of the entire county legislature without opposition during their sessions on July 25.

"We are very grateful for this grant, which will allow us to begin construction immediately on what will be one of the premiere museum and fire safety education facilities in the country right here in Nassau County," said Angelo Catalano, chairman of the board of the Firefighters Museum and Education Center. "Nassau County's almost 10,000 volunteer firefighters owe a debt of gratitude to County Executive Tom Suozzi, Legislative Majority Leader Judy Jacobs and Minority Leader Peter Schmitt. The cooperation and support of these three leaders and the entire Nassau County Legislature at this critical moment in our development represents a turning point in our quest to build this important facility."

Catalano added, "I would also like to extend a special thanks to County Legislators David Denenberg and Norma Gonsalves, both of whom have been working closely with the museum's leadership for several years and were instrumental in facilitating this funding."

The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center started as the dream of several senior members of the county's volunteer fire service, all of whom shared a common desire to preserve the rich history and tradition of the county's volunteer firefighters, while also creating a top-notch fire safety education facility for the general public. For almost a decade, Francis X. "Frank" Pendl was at the center of these efforts. As a 50-year active member and ex-Chief of the Bethpage Fire Department, an assistant chief instructor at the Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage and a Nassau County Fire Marshal, Frank Pendl embodied the fire service in Nassau. Sadly, Frank passed away on April 1, 2004, just a few months shy of seeing his dream of a Firefighters Museum and Education Center become a reality. In his honor, the museum's leadership has dedicated the new facility in his name as a reminder of his important contributions to both the development of this facility and the fire service here on Long Island.

The $1.3 million grant, combined with more than $700,000 previously raised over the last several years, will provide the means necessary to prepare the former aircraft hangar for public assembly and to construct eight unique sections within the new museum space, each dedicated to different fire safety and educational themes. The museum will feature several pieces of antique fire apparatus, which will be restored to their original splendor.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank State Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr. for his tremendous efforts on our behalf over the years," said Catalano. "Chuck has been with us from the start and has been a driving force behind the museum over the past several years. Fuschillo's dedication and hard work, along with the efforts of his colleague, Senator Michael Balboni, have been key to our efforts to date, laying the groundwork for additional public and private sector funding for this project."

An official groundbreaking ceremony for the Museum and Education Center took place Aug. 9, adjacent to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Attending the festivities was Mary Jane Pendl, Frank's wife of 54 years, and the longest serving member of the county's 76 fire departments and volunteer ambulance corps. Current plans call for the museum to potentially open to the public later this year.

For more information about the Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center, visit: www.ncfiremuseum.org