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LARCHMONT, N.Y. Within the next few days the engine for a new emergency boat will arrive, and the Larchmont Fire Department will look forward to holding its first boat-assisted rescue training session.
It gives us another tool to use to help the residents of the village, Larchmont fire Capt. John Caparelli said.
For the past few years the Larchmont Fire Department has been donating some of its surplus equipment to the Terry Farrell Foundation, an organization formed after the death of Dix Hill, N.Y., Fire Chief Terry Farrell, who was killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
The foundation redistributes donated items to other fire departments in need. In return for Larchmont's donations, the foundation asked Caparelli whether Larchmont needed anything. After much thought, Caparelli asked about getting a boat.
We have a lot of flooding in Larchmont, and the firefighters and residents used to have to wade through water, Caparelli said. This gives us easier and safer access to get to the people.
The boat was donated a few months ago, but it lacked some equipment, such as a trailer and an engine. The Larchmont Yacht Club heard of the problem and donated both of those items to the Fire Department. The only expenses left for the village were to buy life preservers, oars and some small maintenance parts.
We got help from all different places, Caparelli said.
The boat will be stored year-round in a shed behind the firehouse and will be ready to be deployed at any time. The boat, named Marine 34, will also be available to other communities in the county in emergencies.
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