10/06/2026
Great Neck, NY — October 6, 2026 — The Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company, Inc. (Vigilant) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $360,000 grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to replace the company’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment.
The grant will fund the replacement of 40 SCBA packs, along with a spare cylinder for each pack, providing firefighters with modern, reliable respiratory protection while responding to fires and other hazardous incidents.
SCBA is among the most critical pieces of equipment a firefighter carries. It provides breathable air in environments that may contain toxic smoke, superheated gases, and other life-threatening contaminants. Maintaining modern, reliable SCBA equipment is essential not only to firefighters' safety, but also to their ability to effectively perform search, rescue, fire suppression, and other emergency operations.
“This grant is an incredible investment in the safety of our firefighters and the residents we serve,” said Vigilant’s Chief of Department, Scott MacDonald. “Replacing 40 of our SCBA packs and providing a spare cylinder for each pack will ensure that our members have dependable, up-to-date equipment when they enter an immediately dangerous environment. We are extremely grateful to FEMA for recognizing the importance of this need and providing the funding to address it.”
The $360,000 federal award represents a significant investment by Vigilant and will allow them to undertake a major equipment replacement without placing the full financial burden on local taxpayers.
The project will replace the department’s existing SCBA units with new equipment that meets current safety and performance standards. The additional spare cylinders will also provide Vigilant with greater operational flexibility during extended incidents, allowing firefighters to remain in service while depleted cylinders are replaced and refilled.
Great Neck Estates Mayor Billy Warner said, “Our volunteer firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community. Providing them with the safest and most reliable equipment possible is one of our most important responsibilities. This $360,000 FEMA grant is a tremendous accomplishment for Vigilant and an important investment in the safety of our entire community. We thank Vigilant for always being good partners and consistently applying for grants to help keep costs down.”
Vigilant would like to thank FEMA and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for their support of the department and volunteer firefighting.
“This award is a great example of what can be accomplished when we identify a critical need and aggressively pursue available grant funding,” said David Weiss, Chairman of Vigilant’s Board of Trustees, “Our members volunteer their time to protect this community, and they deserve to have the equipment necessary to do that job safely. We are proud to be able to make this investment in our firefighters. We are also proud of the fact that this is our fifth grant in the past six years, totaling over $1.2 million dollars in government funding. Grants are an important part of what we do as we know the Town and our Villages are up against the 2% tax cap.”
The Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company has a long history of serving Great Neck, responding to fires, motor vehicle accidents, rescues, hazardous conditions and other emergencies. The company’s members routinely dedicate hundreds of hours to emergency response, training, equipment maintenance, and community service.
The new SCBA equipment will help ensure that Vigilant is prepared to safely and effectively respond to emergencies for years to come.
About the Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company, Inc.
The Vigilant Engine & Hook & Ladder Company, Inc. is a volunteer fire company serving Great Neck and surrounding areas. Our members provide emergency fire and rescue services around the clock and are committed to protecting the lives and property of the residents we serve.
About FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program provides funding to fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.
