By Michael V. Cusenza
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) announced on Monday that she’s renewing her fight to help overhaul the City Fire Department’s Squad 288/HazMat 1 firehouse in Maspeth.
Meng recently obtained $2 million in a key spending bill that would pay for critical renovations in the building.
An eye-opening New York Post report depicted the blight at the 112-year-old building on 68th Street:
“The site is plagued by massive sewage backups, cracked walls and floors, mold and exposed asbestos. And the [Uniformed Firefighters Association] contends the garage where the trucks are parked and equipment stored is in danger of collapse.”
UFA Vice President Bobby Eustace told the Post, “We might be the greatest fire department in the world, but it’s based on pure grit and determination because we are way, way behind the times. We’ve been fiscally abused for decades.”
The federal funds would go towards replacing the firehouse’s apparatus floor and overhauling its electrical and mechanical systems. The apparatus floor is the main space of the firehouse that includes its specialty vehicles, bunker gear, workbenches, tools, equipment and all other necessary items. With the firehouse dating back to 1913, these types of financial investments are essential to ensuring the facility’s longevity, and sustaining the services that Squad 288/HazMat 1 provides.
“We need to ensure that our brave firefighters have the resources they need to keep us safe and save lives, and that includes those at Squad 288/HazMat 1 in Maspeth,” Meng said. “During my recent visit to their firehouse, I saw firsthand how repairs and improvements are necessary, and I will continue pushing this crucial funding through Congress until it reaches the finish line.”
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), chairwoman of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management added, “Our firehouses have sadly been allowed to fall into deplorable states, but this funding would go a long way towards righting the wrongs at the Squad 288/HazMat 1 house. Our heroes deserve safe, structurally sound firehouses to go back to when they aren’t saving the lives of their fellow New Yorkers. This investment would help give that to the men and women of Squad 288/HazMat 1, and ensure that they can continue protecting the people of Maspeth and beyond for many years to come. Thank you to Congresswoman Meng for working so hard to secure this funding and improve the lives and safety of New York’s Bravest.”
Last month, Meng visited the beleaguered Maspeth firehouse. She said she toured the building, talked with firefighters and officials and discussed funding for the firehouse. She also had lunch with the firefighters. In addition, she remembered the 19 Bravest from the firehouse who were killed while responding to the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11—the most of any Gotham firehouse.
“I thank the members of Squad 288/HazMat 1 for welcoming me to their firehouse,” Meng said. “It was an honor to meet with them and thank them for working tirelessly to keep many of my constituents safe. I am always proud to be a friend of the FDNY and support the work they do so that New York’s Bravest can continue saving lives and protecting our communities.”
