Engine 65 Receives Grant for New Equipment

Members of Engine 65 received a $25,000 grant on July 17 from Kornreich-NIA and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company for the purchase of new firefighting, training and exercise equipment.

“We have an obligation to our friends and family to return home with our health after every tour,” Lt. Thomas Byrne of Engine 65 said during the announcement at his firehouse. “This [grant] will help us achieve that goal. It will help us do our job.”

The money is earmarked for the purchase of tools that will help keep the firefighters safe, including a technology training package that will enable them to study high-profile locations in their area and an elliptical exercise machine that will keep them healthy.

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the firehouse responds to more than 5,000 calls each year, often to landmarks like Times Square.

“You can’t help but feel like a little kid in a firehouse,” said Executive Vice President Steve Parnes of Kornreich-NIA. “But the work firefighters do is serious, not fun and games. We all respect and admire you, and we are grateful to be able to help you.”

The grant package is part of a nationwide program called Fireman’s Fund Heritage®, which is funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments.

Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to hundreds of different departments totaling more than $17 million, including more than $200,000 to the FDNY.

“Giving back to our community is important to us,” said Terry McCormick, Fireman’s Fund Relationship Manager. “This is more than a check writing campaign, it’s building relationships with fire departments across the country.”