“We are truly proud to be able to answer the call for assistance,” said Fairview Fire Chief Howard Reiss.
Three of Greenburgh’s paid fire departments — Fairview, Hartsdale and Greenville — sent 12 members who are trained in collapse operations to assist the Buffalo-area with collapsed roofs and other emergency efforts.
Snow reached up to 7.5 feet in the Buffalo area over the last week. trapped people in their homes and cars, and caused roof collapses. There are 13 deaths associated with the storm, according to Reuters. Residents are now dealing with flooding issues as the snow melts with rising temperatures.
New York State has also requested the assistance of the Yonkers Fire Department, which sent 30 firefighters on Nov. 22.
According to Yonkers’ Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Fitzpatrick, 30 firefighters from other paid departments in Westchester, including White Plains and Greenburgh, were also deployed on Saturday from the special operations center at 460 Nepperhan Ave. in Yonkers. Their deployment was to last for five days.
The Journal New reports that firefighters from New Rochelle were also sent in to help.
Westchester New York State Department of Transportation crews have also been sent to the Buffalo area to assist with snow removal efforts.
“I would like to salute the three paid fire districts for helping out during this emergency,” said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
Feiner says these firefighters should be reimbursed for their work and has contacted the governor’s office to request that New York State or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pay the fire departments and local government entities for costs associated with assisting Buffalo.
“NYS has a $5 billion surplus,” said Feiner. “The three paid fire districts (in Greenburgh) and all local governments are working hard to keep their tax increase below the tax cap.”
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