Legislator Howard Kopel and County Executive Mangano

Announce Funding for Fire Services Academy

Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel and County Executive Ed Mangano announced a one million dollar plan to upgrade and improve the Fire Services Academy located in Old Bethpage. The money was allocated from the 2010 Capital Plan. This will benefit the 10,000 volunteer firefighters in Nassau County by providing them with better facilities to train.

Some of the money will allow the County to renovate the “Taxpayer” and the “Dwelling” buildings at the Academy. Since the vast majority of fires in the county involve private residences, it is vitally important that the Academy provide for the best training for fires in these types of buildings.

“We all owe a great debt to the firefighters who work hard to keep us safe,” said Legislator Kopel. “I’m happy that we can provide an updated training facility for them so they can continue to do an excellent job.”

“Improvements to our fire academy are long overdue," said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. "Renovations to the academy will provide our firefighters with better training to ensure the safety of families, homes and communities."

Work has already commenced on the project. Many thanks to all the brave firefighters who risk their lives to keep our community safer.

Pictured: Legislator Kopel is seen here with County Executive Mangano, Chief Eddie Madden of the Island Park Fire Dept., and Legislator Denise Ford.

The building in the background is scheduled for demolition to make room for newer training structures.