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CARMEL, NY - Today, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, along with local officials, first responders, and community leaders, celebrated the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Lt. Michael Neuner Fire & EMS Training Center in the Town of Kent. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide a modern, safe, and comprehensive environment for local first responders to hone their skills and prepare for emergency situations.

"This project is not just about a building; it’s about investing in the future of our first responders and ensuring they have the best resources to keep our community safe," said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. "This facility will serve not only Putnam County but also the surrounding region, providing critical training opportunities for years to come."

The previous Fire Training Center had been significantly underutilized for years, with the training tower deemed unsafe over a decade ago. The burn facility was closed repeatedly due to costly repairs, forcing many first responders to travel outside the county for necessary training. Now, with the new facility open and operational, first responders can benefit from a fully functional space to improve their skills without leaving the county.

“A lot of effort went into making this project happen. I want to thank the County Executive for having the vision and leadership to make this a priority, and I thank the Fire Advisory Board and the committee that helped design it,” said Commissioner Robert Lipton of the Bureau of Emergency Services.

Funding for the $1.6 million project came from a combination of sources, including over $1 million in repurposed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, $200,000 from the County's capital projects fund, and direct funding from the Bureau of Emergency Services budget. State Senator Pete Harckham played a key role in securing $250,000 in state grants to support the project.

“Our first responders sacrifice so much for us each and every day. They put their lives on the line and sometimes put their family second to protect this community,” said Senator Harckham. “We owe them everything we can do to keep them safe, and safety comes from training and repetition. By having this local facility, we can enable more consistent training and better outcomes.”  

Putnam County has also worked to support its volunteer first responders by providing a property tax exemption for those who serve. Last month the County Legislature passed legislation to expand that property tax credit, which was made possible by actions of the New York State Legislature.  "Thanks to the hard work of Senator Harckham and Assemblyman Slater soon we will be able to expand the 10% property tax exemption to volunteers who serve in Putnam County," said Byrne. "This is a win for our community and helps ensure that more people will be encouraged to serve as first responders."

“Putnam’s first responders deserve a facility right here in Putnam County that is worthy of their commitment,” said Assemblyman Matt Slater. “We have worked to pass legislation to help recruit more first responders which are desperately needed.”

The Putnam County Legislature, including Chairwoman Amy Sayegh and former Physical Services Committee Chair Bill Gouldman, also played an instrumental role in supporting the funding for this project.

“I thank and congratulate everyone who was part of making this project happen,” said Chairwoman Sayegh. “I also want to thank our emergency service volunteers who put themselves on the frontlines without hesitation.

"I am incredibly proud of the work we've done to support our first responders, they are the backbone of our community," said Legislator Gouldman. "This new facility and the expanded tax exemption are long-needed investments in our community and our safety."

“I think it’s really important this building is finally up and running,” said Legislator Erin Crowley. “Obviously firefighter and first responder recruitment and retention has been a huge issue for us here and across the country, but we are constantly looking for way to help with that. Making training opportunities easier to access is definitely part of that effort.”

The Lt. Michael Neuner Fire & EMS Training Center is named after Michael Neuner of the Brewster Volunteer Fire Department who was killed in the line of duty fighting a house fire in 1997.

“Everyday we honor the legacy of Lt. Michael Neuner through continuous trainings who this facility is named after,” said Brewster Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Miller. “This building stands a testament to our commitment to learn and grow.”

“Places like this are so important because I myself, have made mistakes here, and learned to navigate them so I don’t make mistakes in the field,” said Brewster Volunteer Fire Department President Tommy Regan. “Going through consistent trainings at places like this will help prevent another tragedy like we had all those years ago.”

The renovated campus is a critical step forward for Putnam County, ensuring that first responders are well-equipped to face any emergency situation. With the new facility in place and the expanded tax exemption for volunteers, County Executive Kevin Byrne emphasized the county's commitment to supporting first responders and keeping them in Putnam County.

"This new center, along with the expanded tax exemption, helps ensure that our first responders have the tools they need to stay here and continue protecting our community," said Byrne. "We are investing in our future, and I look forward to seeing the impact this project will have on our community for many years to come.”

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