Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced recently his success in securing $250,000 in New York State Senate Funding for the Wantagh Fire District to purchase an emergency command vehicle.

In the event of a major emergency, this vehicle will serve as a central mobile command post with the capabilities to provide radio, telephone, and satellite communications to fire and rescue personnel in the event that land bases systems are either overloaded or unable to function. The vehicle would work in conjunction with the Nassau County Fire Commission's mobile command post.

"In a major emergency or natural disaster such as a hurricane or flooding, this vehicle would enable fire districts and emergency rescue personnel to continue communications and help save lives," Fuschillo said. "We can never take the potential of an emergency on Long Island for granted and such a vehicle, installed with state-of-the-art communications equipment, will allow emergency workers to do their jobs."

"We continue to learn valuable lifesaving lessons from the tragedy of Sept. 11," said Commissioner William K. Field IV. "This emergency vehicle will enable the Wantagh Fire District to perform command and control operations to coordinate fire and rescue services. On behalf of the Wantagh Fire District and the residents of Wantagh and all of Long Island, we are grateful for Senator Fuschillo's funding that will make us proactive in our efforts to save lives."