Staten Island Firehouse Receives Grant Honoring Lt. Robert Ryan

Members from Engine 155 and Ladder 78 receive a $8,600 grant from representatives from Kornreich-NIA and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company

Members from Engine 155 and Ladder 78 receive a $8,600 grant from representatives from Kornreich-NIA and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company

The firehouse Lt. Robert Ryan called home - Engine 155 and Ladder 78 on Staten Island - received a $8,600 grant from Kornreich-NIA and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company on June 18, to use for the purchase of training and physical fitness equipment.

“We are most appreciative of this generous donation,” said Capt. Steven Gentiluomo of Ladder 78. “This will benefit the long-term health and safety of the firehouse.”

Funds from the grant will be used to purchase a fog machine that simulates smoke conditions in a fire and a landing mat for ropes training, as well as various exercise equipment, such as a versaclimber and rowing machine.

Members of Engine 155 and Ladder 78 were chosen as recipients of the grant in honor of Lt. Robert Ryan, who was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 23, 2008.

Capt. Steven Gentiluomo of Ladder 78 shows Steve Parnes (second from right) and Helen Cetta from Kornreich-NIA, and Terry McCormick (third from right) from Fireman's Fund Insurance Company some of the equipment the company has already purchased using the grant.

“This is all about giving back,” said Steve Parnes, Executive Vice President of Kornreich-NIA. “After hearing the story of Lt. Ryan, we knew we had to give the funds to this company.”

This is the second grant by Kornreich-NIA to the FDNY.

The grant package is part of a nationwide program called Fireman’s Fund Heritage®, which is funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The program is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments.

Since 2004, Fireman’s Fund has issued grants to hundreds of different departments totaling more than $22 million, including more than $315,000 to the FDNY.

“This is all about saving lives,” said Terry McCormick, Fireman’s Fund Relationship Manager. “If we can prevent an injury or death with these grants, then they are worthwhile.”