Libous checks out the fruits of his grants

By Brittany Bishop

Correspondent

OXFORD – More than year after severe flooding hit Chenango County, repairs to damages are still continuing to come together.

Meeting Thursday at the Oxford Fire Department, New York State Senator Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton) was on hand to view the equipment he helped buy. A demonstration was given by firefighters as to how each piece of equipment is used.

With the support of Libous, the Oxford Fire Department was granted $25,000 to purchase all new gear. “We helped all fire companies who were internally hurt by the flood waters,” said Libous.

New gear was needed because of the high level of contaminants firefighters ran into when called during the floods last year, said Oxford Fire Chief Ron Martin, adding that the gear became inoperative following contact with certain chemicals. “Not a single cleaning company would touch the gear,” he said. The grant allowed up to 14 new sets of gear to be purchased, and “everything that was lost in the flood was able to be replaced,” said Martin. The gear averaged around $3,000 a person, he said.

Libous’ district represents 110 fire companies. “Without you we’d be lost,” he said to Martin and the Oxford firefighters. “As long as I’m in office, I’ll continue to do everything I can.”