Assemblyman Matt Slater announced an $80,000 grant for the Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps (PVVAC) during a gathering with Sen. Rob Rolison, Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Jackie Annabi, town board members, and community leaders. The funding comes from the CREST grant program and will be used to purchase a new generator for PVVAC. This upgrade aims to ensure that emergency services remain operational during storms and power outages.
Assemblyman Slater stated, “I’m grateful to my partners in local and state government for supporting our volunteers. The Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps responds to more than 700 calls a year, and with reliable power and resources, they can continue their lifesaving work no matter the weather.”
A representative from PVVAC commented on the need for the new equipment: “We lose power here in Putnam Valley too often, and our generator is more than 25 years old. The generator that runs this whole facility opens the doors for the ambulances and allows us to receive the 911 calls. To replace it would cost $130,000. Rather than using taxpayer money, we went and asked for help, and Assemblyman Slater was kind enough to answer that call. This administration works together to fund us, and we really appreciate it.”
Senator Rob Rolison emphasized the importance of supporting local responders: “Volunteer first responders are the backbone of Putnam Valley, especially during emergencies and severe weather. Keeping Putnam safe means making sure our emergency responders have the tools they need to operate in any conditions and making sure they stay connected during storms and outages and continue to protect the community when it matters most.”
Supervisor Jackie Annabi highlighted how this funding benefits residents: “I would like to thank Assemblyman Slater, Senator Rolison and the folks at DASNY for the $80,000 in CREST funding for our Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps, bringing tax dollars back to Putnam Valley. This grant will go towards the necessary upgrade of a generator for emergency services. These men and women work tirelessly for the community, and obtaining this grant will go a long way toward serving our community without raising taxes.”
Deputy Supervisor Christian Russo added appreciation on behalf of local officials: “On behalf of the Putnam Valley Town Board and residents, we are deeply grateful to Assemblyman Slater and Senator Rolison for consistently supporting our volunteer emergency workers and for always keeping the safety of Putnam Valley residents at the forefront. We also thank Supervisor Annabi for her continued advocacy and commitment to strengthening our local emergency services by helping secure a grant for a new generator, a cost that otherwise would have been a tax burden to our residents.”
The current generator at PVVAC is over 25 years old; replacing it is expected to cost about $130,000 according to organization representatives.