Latest news with #HornellFireDepartment
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hornell FD grant supports purchase of fire gear washer. Why it's crucial for health.
A $5,000 grant helped the City of Hornell Fire Department acquire a piece of equipment crucial to reducing firefighters' exposure to carcinogens. The Public Employer Risk Management Association (PERMA) awarded the money, which the Hornell Fire Department put toward purchasing a new washing machine for big turnout gear that can't be washed in conventional washing machines, according to Hornell Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski. "Our bunker gear is very heavy," Brzozowski said. "You need a heavy-duty washing machine to do that." Brzozowski said the new washer has been in operation at the station for about month. He said the $5,000 grant covered approximately 60% of the machine's cost. The funding comes from the Firefighter Risk Management Reduction Mini-Grant Program, created through a partnership between PERMA and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC). 'Chemicals, biological hazards, asbestos fibers, and toxic byproducts from burning materials can all cling to firefighters' protective gear,' said Bruce E. Heberer, NYSAFC CEO. 'Research has shown that purpose-built washers are more effective than hand-washing gear, which can also create an exposure situation." Cancer caused 66 percent of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths between 2002 and 2019, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. Research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) suggests firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. 'Volunteering or working in the fire service has inherent dangers, but a firefighter's gear should not be one of them,' said Mary Beth Woods, PERMA executive director. 'PERMA's goal is to help fire departments purchase specialized washers or dryers to reduce their members' exposure by enabling them to safely and thoroughly clean turnout gear.' More: Hornell sells BOCES house on Upper Bennett. How much it sold for, where more will be built Launched in 2019, the program is available annually to members of both NYSAFC and PERMA to provide financial assistance with the purchase of a new gear washer or dryer. 'Anything that can help us with equipment (is appreciated), because it is so expensive," Brzozowski said. The Hornell grant is among 20 PERMA awarded in February to fire departments throughout New York state. Since its inception in 2019, the program has provided over $275,000 in funds for gear washers and dryers through 62 grant awards to 54 member organizations. Email Neal Simon at nsimon@ To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: $5K grant to Hornell Fire Department used for fire gear washer
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
City shuts down Hornell McDonald's after snow, ice compromise restaurant's roof
The Hornell McDonald's restaurant is closed today and it's not because of the Presidents Day holiday. The fast food joint at 950 state Route 36 adjacent to the Walmart-Wegmans Plaza was ordered closed by the City of Hornell Sunday after the roof began leaking, likely the result of an accumulation of snow and ice. The Hornell Fire Department responded at 8:05 a.m. Sunday to the restaurant's report of water dripping into the business at several locations. "They had a problem with their roof. They had a bunch of leaks come down through (the ceiling), probably from a combination between all the water and ice," Hornell Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski said. The restaurant was open and customers were being served when the problems developed, Brzozowski said. There were no injuries as employees scrambled to protect property inside the business, the fire chief said. "They got everything pretty much covered up in the store and are waiting on a contractor to get there and see what they can do about making repairs," Brzozowski added. More: Hornell resident calls plow truck driver her 'saving grace' after she was injured in fall The Hornell City Codes Office posted a keep out notice on the store entrance, declaring the property dangerous and prohibiting occupancy. "It's just not a conducive environment to be working in. We had them shut down until they can come up with a game plan," Brzozowski said. A McDonald's representative could not immediately be reached for comment. Email Neal Simon at nsimon@ To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell McDonald's closed after partial roof collapse, water in store
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hornell Fire Department gets new fire truck
HORNELL, N.Y. (WETM) — The Hornell Fire Department replaced a 20-year-old fire truck with a brand-new one. The City of Hornell announced on Feb. 13 that the fire department received an E-One Pumper truck the prior week. According to Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski, the new truck, Engine 83, can hold 1,000 gallons of water and pump from hydrant systems, ponds, and other supply areas. Engine 83 is replacing a 2005 engine, and has increased accident protection and technological upgrades. The upgrades include automatic pumps and shifters, which Brzozowski says increase safety and efficiency when fighting fires. Steuben County farmers can request to join agricultural district The City of Hornell's Common Council approved the $743,152 pump truck purchase during a November 2024 meeting. It also approved the purchase of a second truck that will arrive in 2026 during the same meeting. The second truck will replace a 1997 pumper. The city says it replaced the department's newer truck first because the 1997 one has better operability. 'We do a great job of maintaining our equipment and keeping it in service, but these vehicles are over 20 years old, and finding parts for repairs is not only difficult but expensive,' said Brzozowski. The city says the new truck was purchased using reserve funds, unrestricted fund balance, and borrowing. Engine 83 will officially go into service after the department finishes a training process, and training is expected to be completed by the end of the week of Feb. 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
