To help supplement the firefighting efforts and emergency response of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department, the mainly all-volunteer service has been given a two-year $499,200 grant to hire four full-time firefighters.
The money made available through the federal Department of Homeland’s Security Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency grant program also includes $102,701 for Oyster Bay Fire Co. No. 1 and $60,084 for the Bay Shore Fire Department to improve recruitment and retention of firefighters.
“We actually put in for several grants, we never ever thought we would get this,” said LCFD Chief David Campbell, adding the department was notified earlier this month that they were awarded the grant.