Ortt visits local fire co. for equipment update

Last week, Sen. Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) joined the Olcott Fire Co. to celebrate the purchasing of new rescue equipment, which was made possible by $15,000 in public protection funds secured earlier this year by the senator.

With the funding, Olcott Fire will refurbish several features on the Company’s water rescue vehicle, which is responsible for rescue missions across 50 miles of coastline from the U.S.-Canadian border to Oak Orchard Creek. As owners of one of the few water rescue vehicles in Niagara County, the Olcott Fire Co. receives an average of 50 emergency marine rescue calls per year.

“Olcott Fire Co. is responsible for the rescue of dozens of boaters on Lake Ontario each year, so it is crucial that they have a watercraft that they can rely on,” said Ortt. “Because Olcott Fire is expected to cover such an enormous amount of territory, the cost of maintenance and service is always increasing and these funds will help mitigate some of that cost. Our first responders are some of the best in the state and they deserve to have equipment that can keep up with the excellent level of service they provide.”