Press Release Dated 7/10/2008, Halfmoon, New York-

The Halfmoon Fire District #1 (Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Department) received funding from the NY State Archives for a cooperative local government record management improvement project which will improve the active record keeping functions of the local fire departments.  The active cooperative project includes the Halfmoon Fire District #1 (Hillcrest VFD), the City of Mechanicville (Mechanicville VFD), and the Village of Stillwater (Newland Woods VFD).  The grant addresses the need to improve active record management functions of the fire departments.  The funding will provide new computers, software, and printers.  The new equipment will increase system capacity, standardize equipment and software for local, state, and national incident reporting, electronically collect and store additional emergency data, maintain file integrity and impliment a new technology (electronic) to save staff time creating official minutes and financial records. 

"The addition of the above mentioned items will improve access and retrieval of vital emergency information.  The equipment will enable the departments to quickly retrieve and provide accurate information when responding to emergencies.  Without access to this information, it could jeopardize the safety of the firefighters, other emergency responders, residents, businesses, and the public they serve." said Amanda Walsh, Administrative Assistant for the Halfmoon Fire District #1 - serving as the Project Director.  The specific records involved will be emergency first responder data, known hazardous material / conditions, fire hydrant size and location, state and national incident reports, training and certification, minutes, and financials.

Walsh pointed out there will be no matching funds required and each fire department is responsible for maintaining the equipment and software at the end of the project.

AMANDA WALSH, NYS ARCHIVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HALFMOON FIRE DISTRICT #1, THE CITY OF MECHANICVILLE, AND THE VILLAGE OF STILLWATER, AND THEIR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS SHOW SOME OF THE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FROM THE NYS ARCHIVE GRANT.

ATTENDING THE PRESS RELEASE MEETING FROM THE HALFMOON FIRE DISTRICT #1 WERE-

SHOWN ABOVE (L TO R) JAMES McBRIDE, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD; AMANDA WALSH, PROJECT DIRECTOR & FIRE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT; GEORGE OWAD, COMMISSIONER; MICHAEL DI NALLO, COMMISSIONER; SCOTT HOULE, FIRE CHIEF; AND VICTOR KNOROWSKI, COMMISSIONER.