County Executive Commits To Fund Fire Training Center in 2016 To Help All Ulster County Fire Departments

To Make This Project A Reality, The County Legislature Must Continue Its Ongoing Partnership With The Administration In Exercising Spending Restraint And County Revenues Must Remain Sound

Kingston, NY – Today, County Executive Mike Hein announced plans to “fast track” the establishment of a county-wide Fire Training Center in Ulster County.  To assist in this effort, the County Executive has named an Executive “Task Force” made up of the Board of Directors of the County Fire Chiefs Association, Ulster County Fire Coordinator Charlie Mutz and Director of Ulster County Emergency Communications Steve Peterson, who will serve as Chair.  Their goal will be to help identify an appropriate site for a County fire training facility as well as the facility’s exact specifications.  Training facilities of this nature generally include administrative offices, classrooms, and outside training areas.  County Executive Hein and Ulster County Director of Emergency Services Steven J. Peterson met with the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association today at the Highland Fire Department to make the announcement and to offer assistance to “fast track” this issue. 

“Through careful management of the County’s finances we are able to make this important investment in public safety without raising property taxes,” said County Executive Hein.  “However, it is also critical that the County Legislature continues its laudable efforts to partner with my Administration in exercising spending restraint and for New York State to renew Ulster County’s Sales Tax Rate without interruptions or conditions to ensure a continued sound revenue forecast. There is a critical need for a firefighter training facility in Ulster County and police and EMS personnel will also be able to utilize the facility to conduct supplemental trainings.   I have been working with the Fire Chiefs Association on a series of important actions to assist our Fire Services and I am pleased to announce that we are moving forward with a Fire Training Center and will also be providing an additional $25,000 in the 2016 Budget to ensure that the proper firefighting training equipment will also be available. This training facility, which is expected to break ground in 2016, is an incredible example of shared services with 50 fire departments all sharing and benefiting from the same facility.  This Fire Training Center will allow for enhanced training for all of our firefighters who risk their lives day in and day out to protect our entire community.”

Steven J. Peterson, Director of Ulster County Emergency Communications

"We are fortunate County Executive Hein is committing to “fast tracking” this much needed fire training facility.  This has been a dream of ours in the Fire Services for decades and thanks to County Executive Hein’s leadership it is now going to become a reality.  He both understands and appreciates the importance of having this much needed Fire Training Center in Ulster County,” said Steven J. Peterson, Director of Ulster County Emergency Communications.  “The County Executive, working closely with the Fire Services will create a facility that will serve as a key training point for Emergency Services as we work to protect the citizens of our County every single day."

Charles Mutz, Ulster County Fire Coordinator

“A Fire Training Center has been a dream for many of us in Fire Services for years,” said Charles Mutz, Ulster County Fire Coordinator.  “I am thrilled that the County Executive has designed solutions to help make this a reality and I look forward to working with the other members of the County Executive’s Task Force.  This initiative to create a County training center will ensure our fire departments receive the training needed in their efforts to serve the community.  Thank you to County Executive Hein for his vision on training.”

Everett Erichsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Second Assistant Chief of Highland Hose Company No. 1

“A Fire Training Center in Ulster County would not only benefit our firefighters but the community as a whole,” said Everett Erichsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Second Assistant Chief of Highland Hose Company No. 1. “County Executive Hein understands the need for such a facility and I appreciate his efforts in working with us to accomplish this effort.”

Sam Appa, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Chief of Ulster Hose Company No. 5

“For years we have been discussing how important such a facility is for our firefighters,” said Sam Appa, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Chief of Ulster Hose Company No. 5.  “County Executive Hein has really stepped up to work with us toward making this training center reality.”

Bob Troncillito, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Chief of Marlboro Fire Department

“I appreciate County Executive Hein’s swift action on this important issue,” said Bob Troncillito, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Chief of Marlboro Fire Department. “It is critical that this training center becomes a reality, providing our firefighters with top notch training which is essential for our safety as well as our entire community.”

Gary Zelinsky, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Assistant Chief of Olive Fire Department

“I, along with my colleagues, am very excited that this important training facility will be open and available to all firefighters across the County,” said Gary Zelinsky, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Assistant Chief of Olive Fire Department.  “County Executive Hein’s leadership on this issue is greatly appreciated and his efforts will ensure that firefighters receive integral training and are supplied with the equipment they need to serve our communities.”

Pictured below from left: Bob Troncillito Chief Marlboro FD, Steve Peterson UC Director of Emergency Management and Chief of Rifton FD, Sam Appa Chief of Ulster Hose No. 5, County Executive Mike Hein, Everett Erichsen, Second Assistant Chief of Highland FD, Gary Zelinsky Assistant Chief of Olive FD, and Charlie Mutz Ulster County Fire Coordinator