Reprinted in full from the press release dated 8/28/2023 sent by Dutchess County:

18 Projects Funded in shared services, fire, rescue, law enforcement by Dutchess County:

“Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil announced Dutchess County has awarded more than $1.1 million in funding for 18 projects through its Municipal Investment Grant (MIG) Program. The awarded projects will promote efficiencies and long-term sustainability, agency capacity and capability, and shared services, while ultimately generating savings for taxpayers.

“The focus areas of this year’s MIG Program targeted fire, rescue and local law enforcement projects that improve agency capacity and capability to respond to fire, rescue and law enforcement operations, as well as community safety, or function to address health and safety issues for first responders.

“County Executive O’Neil said, ‘Over the past 10 years, Dutchess County’s Municipal Investment Grant Program has supported more than 180 projects resulting in greater efficiencies for government operations, shared services and enhanced operational capacity, all while generating taxpayer savings. This year’s program again focuses on providing critical resources needed for our first responders during emergencies while also ensuring their health and safety are protected. We thank the Dutchess County Legislature for its continued support of this important program which will result in long-term benefits for our residents.’”

Special Note About Active Shooter Training

“Several of this year’s MIG applications included funding requests for active shooter training. To help facilitate these requests, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response will coordinate a countywide active shooter training for first responders in 2024. A total of $100,000 from the MIG Program Reserve will be used to support this shared services initiative. Additionally, the County will collaborate with the Regional Technical Rescue Team, which consists of the Arlington Fire District, the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department and the LaGrange Fire District, to evaluate the submission of a statewide shared services funding request that may help reimburse expenses.”

Projects Funded Through The 2023 MIG Program, Totaling $1,108,000, Include:

Arlington Fire District and City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department
Regional Technical Rescue Team Equipment Enhancement
Project Award: $100,000
Project Description: Purchase of various rescue equipment, including ring, cut and break, cordless demo saws, search camera and life detector, hydraulic power unit and tools, and drilling and nailing bag systems.

Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.
UTV for Mountain Rescue Operations and Large-Scale Community Events
Project Award: $47,000
Project Description: Purchase of new utility terrain vehicle (UTV) and accessories to locate, treat and transport lost and/or injured hikers along the Hudson Highlands and Mount Beacon trails, as well as at large-scale public events, which will help to expedite response times for emergency medical calls.

City of Beacon Fire Department
Efficiency and Safety Improvements for Emergency Services
Project Award: $20,000
Project Description: Replacement of existing thermal imaging cameras to allow for more efficient firefighting and rescue operations, as well as improved safety for firefighters.

City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department
Rescue Task Force Equipment and Supplies Enhancement
Project Award: $75,000
Project Description: Purchase of various personal protective equipment and medical supplies to be used during an active shooter/hostile event, including ballistic vests and helmets, protective padding, and casualty collection point bags.

East Fishkill Fire District
Health and Safety Equipment Upgrades and Training Enhancements
Project Award: $80,000
Project Description: Installation of an exhaust removal system in the ambulance bay at the fire district’s headquarters; the purchase and installation of propane fire simulators to expand training techniques, leading to improved response capabilities.

Glenham Fire District
Fire Training Facility
Project Award: $29,000
Project Description: Purchase and installation of portable shipping containers equipped with windows, rolling doors, and staircases to use on-site at the district’s firehouse to conduct firefighter training, resulting in greater efficiency and flexibility for members to meet critical and mandated training requirements.

Hillside Fire Department
Fire Suppression Operation Enhancements
Project Award: $100,000
Project Description: Purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) harnesses with bailout system and SCBA air cylinders to increase response capacity and improve safety for firefighters.

Hughsonville Fire Department
Personal Protective Equipment Upgrades to Improve Response Capability
Project Award: $90,000
Project Description: Purchase updated personal protective equipment (PPE) to replace outdated gear that is no longer National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant.

Hyde Park Fire and Water District
Enhanced Public Safety and Emergency Response Equipment
Project Award: $30,000
Project Description: Replacement of existing firefighter turnout gear, as well as the purchase of wildland protective gear and tools, a thermal imaging camera and gas meters to expedite rescue efforts and protect the health and safety of firefighters.

J.H. Ketcham Hose Co., Inc.
Battery-Powered Rescue Tools and Accessories for Vehicle Extrication
Project Award: $40,000
Project Description: Upgrade existing extrication equipment tools with battery-powered models to expedite and improve extrication during motor vehicle accidents and emergencies while also allowing for the capability and maneuverability for use in off-road incidents involving all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility terrain vehicles (UTV).

Milan Fire Department
Continuity of Firefighting Operations
Project Award: $20,000
Project Description: Replacement of the existing emergency generator at Milan Fire Department Station 1 with a higher capacity model that will provide for continuity of operations and will allow for the fire station to serve as a community shelter during emergencies and prolonged power outages.

New Hackensack Fire District
Improve Firefighter Response Capability and Safety
Project Award: $60,000
Project Description: Purchase of battery-powered vehicle extrication tools, thermal imaging cameras and firefighting foam to improve and enhance response and rescue capabilities while protecting the safety of firefighters.

Pleasant Valley Fire District
Active Shooter Personal Protective Equipment
Project Award: $40,000
Project Description: Purchase of ballistic personal protective equipment to be used during an active shooter/hostile event, including ballistic vests and helmets, as well as medical equipment and supplies.

Roosevelt Fire District
Personal Protective Equipment to Reduce Firefighter Cancer Risks
Project Award: $100,000
Project Description: Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of exposure to cancer-causing elements and to ensure adequate staffing levels during firefighting operations.

Town of Hyde Park Police Department
Active Shooter Preparedness
Project Award: $22,000
Project Description: Purchase of various personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and rescue tools to be used during an active shooter event, including breaching tools, rapid response kits, individual throw kits, ballistic shield, and combat application torniquets.

Village of Fishkill Fire Department
Equipment Upgrade
Project Award: $50,000
Project Description: Replacement of existing breathing air unit used to fill self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) during fireground operations.

Village of Tivoli
Sustainable Upgrades to Firehouse
Project Award: $125,000
Project Description: Upgrade the existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and mechanical and fire suppression systems at the Tivoli Firehouse, resulting in community-wide and regional benefits.

West Clinton Fire District
Fire and Rescue Equipment
Project Award: $80,000
Project Description: Purchase of various fire and rescue equipment to improve response capabilities, including a digital fire training system, personal protective equipment (PPE), pagers, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and meters, rescue tools, and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainers.
In 2023, the MIG Program continues to fund the Dutchess County Drug Task Force and the Juvenile Detective position at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). In the 2023 Dutchess County Budget, a total of $1,055,499 was allocated for the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, which promotes public safety while saving taxpayers money by providing a shared countywide undercover unit charged with reducing the sale and distribution of narcotics and drug crimes, working in partnership with the New York State Police and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. A total of $107,778 was allocated to fund the Juvenile Detective at the CAC which is a countywide law enforcement program that provides an array of services (e.g., safety plans, evidence gathering, referrals) during the investigative phase of a sexual or physical abuse allegation.

This year marks the 10th year of the MIG program, which awards grants on a competitive basis to entities with taxing authority (i.e., cities, towns, villages and fire districts) that address the County’s priorities and needs and promote shared services and consolidation efforts, with the overall goal of supporting local government efforts to reduce the property tax levy. Since the program’s inception, the grant program has expanded to meet the needs of local municipalities and entities, while also addressing the County’s priorities and initiatives.

The County typically releases the MIG application in March, with applications due in May. Following a review by the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) in May and June, the County Executive announces MIG awards in summer, with the projects beginning October 1st. Additional information about the MIG program is available on the grant program’s webpage.