Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced recently his success in securing $75,000 in New York State funding for the Wantagh Fire Department to purchase a new water rescue and patrol vessel.

"When a person is in the water as a result of an accident, every second counts," said Fuschillo, whose district includes over 30 miles of shoreline. "Injuries, hypothermia and drowning can take a life much faster than an accident on land. These new rescue and patrol boats will provide for additional response capabilities to water emergencies and help maintain safe boating practices."

"A new vessel will allow the Wantagh Fire District to save valuable seconds when responding to a water emergency and enable us to assist the Coast Guard and Nassau County Police Marine Division whenever necessary," said Commissioner William K. Field IV, whose district has a fully certified dive team that has been used in rescue and recovery efforts on the south shore. "Due to increased boating traffic on Long Island waterways, boating accidents are on the rise and with that, injuries and death. The boat will also be equipped with a pump that will enable us to extinguish boat fires and brush fires on land inaccessible by vehicles."