Council Member Joann Ariola has said that restoring fifth firefighters has been one of her priorities since taking office in 2022.
Photo courtesy of Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
Council Member Joann Ariola secured the delivery of a pair of flood pumps from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) on Tuesday, June 9, which her District Office says will be essential to reduce the impact of flooding in Hamilton Beach. The pumps will be stored at the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department Firehouse, and volunteers are receiving training on how to operate them in light of emergencies.
As confirmed by the Queens Chronicle, the pumps were purchased with an allocation of $210,000 from Ariola — one of the many investments the Council Member has made for District 32, an area that covers Howard Beach, Broad Channel, Woodhaven, Ozone Park and Glendale, along with the Rockaway Peninsula.
“Hamilton Beach has been dealing with tremendous tidal flooding for far too long,” said Ariola in a statement. “This flooding has led to people being stuck in their homes, missing work and appointments as they wait for the water to recede. With these pumps in place, however, we can dramatically reduce the amount of time water sits on the streets, and ensure that people can get back to their regular lives as quickly as possible after a flooding incident occurs.”
Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Joann Ariola
Nick Spinelli, Chief of the West Hamilton Beach Fire Department, also confirmed that the Department is collaborating with the relevant entities on the utilization and deployment of the pumps.
“Council Member Ariola promised us pumps, and they were delivered as promised,” said Spinelli in a statement. “We are now strategically working with the DEP, the local civic association, and the Councilwoman’s office on an execution plan for how and when they will [be] deployed. We want to make sure that they are used properly and effectively, and also make sure the logistics are all lined up so they can be utilized to maximum efficiency.”
Photo courtesy of the District Office of Council Member Joann Ariola
Roger Gendron, the president of the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, expressed his gratitude to Ariola for prioritizing funds for the equipment. He also called for the NYC DEP to carry out its operation for the community.
“Council Member Joann Ariola followed through on her promise to bring real flood protection to Hamilton Beach by securing funding for mobile pumping equipment,” said Gendron in a statement. “Her efforts were a direct response to repeated flooding in the area, and we sincerely thank her for delivering on that commitment. The pumps have now been delivered to the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department — a major step forward for our community.
“Now it’s time for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure these pumps are pre-positioned, maintained, and ready to deploy before the water arrives,” added Gendron. “The community did its part. Council Member Ariola delivered and we thank you for standing with us. Now DEP must follow through, and ensure these pumps are fully operational, properly staffed, and ready to protect Hamilton Beach when we need them most.”