Island Dispatch, 2004-02-20

              Island DISPATCH  Sidway Book Fair Page 11 Free Throw Champs Page 14 The Farmer's Almanac predicts: i : Snow/Mild i /.\ il n\'/i/.'' j Clicri we \ wanker en pi> J1 IMioik: (716)773-7676 • I a\: (716) 773-71W • L-Mail: M • I'VwsO' c 1 maiU-om Foundedl944 • Complete Community Coverage 59 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers The Official Newspaper of the Town of Grand Island and the Grand Island School District Vol. 59 No. 50 Kvbruan 20. 2004 24 Pages Plus Vmerican Profile $1.00 GIFC receives fire prevention grant Photo and story by Ray Pauley Public Information Officer Grand Island Fire Co. (Additional reporting by Lisa Ariganello) State Sen. Byron Brown recently demonstrated his continued and steadfast support of the local volunteer fire service, by presenting the Grand Island Fire Company with a $1,000 fire prevention grant. "The Grand Island Fire Department does a tremendous job. It is a model fire department in the region and I feel that it deserves special recognition for its service to the. community," Brown said. Brown noted the region's Senate district has a crime prevention program that provides funding for fire departments, neighbors associations, and police agencies. The Senate generally provides anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 in grant funding to eligible organizations in the region, which includes the town of Grand Island, and the cities of Tonawanda, Buffalo and Niagara Falls. For an organization to be eligible, they must submit. a general application form, describing the various programs and general services that they plan to engage in, to ensure the safety of the community. "This grant will assist the Grand Island Fire Department in its mission of protecting the safety of the residents of Grand Island," said Brown. Public Programs According to Fire Chief Greg Butcher, fire prevention is a yearround commitment for firefighters. He detailed such activities as arranging school appearances, safety presentations, at industrial and business locations, participation in community activities such as block parties, fire hall tours, as well as special open house demonstrations of fire fighting and EMS equipment. CPR and other life-saving courses are also made available to the public when possible. Last October, during fire prevention week, the Island's elementary school students were I given the opportunity to I visit the fire hall and j learn safety procedures. J Volunteer firefighters,! dressed in full protective gear, demonstrated how to "stop, drop and roll", and practiced EDITH (Exit .--' Drills in the Home) procedures. The students responded well and listened intently as firefighters demonstrated safety procedures during real EMS and fire emergencies, and explained how to properly use the 9-11 emergency phone number. Along with routine safety drills, the firefighters showed the children how to maintain smoke detectors by testing and changing I batteries, and identified common 1 household hazards. j Later that month, the firefighters I invited the public to visit the fire I hall for their annual open house. I This event is a wonderful opportu- 1 nity for residents of Grand Island, j their children, and other visitors to g learn the importance and value of | community protection and safety I procedures. The Importance of Grants Government grants have been instrumental in securing special resources for the residents of Grand Island. One such item is "Pluggie," the robotic fire hydrant, which was recently purchased as a valuable teaching aid for children and others who have not lost their youthful enthusiasm for learning. Pluggie is a very common presentation piece Sen. Brown is flanked by Grand island Fire Chief Greg Butcher (left) and GIFC president Reed Wright, as he presents a replica of the fire prevention grant at Fire Headquarters last week. Heart Center receives $800,000 injection by Ralph Schwarz Only one day after the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center officially kicked off its capital campaign to raise funds for the new Heart Center of Niagara, the hospital received on Feb. 12 a healthy injection of $800,000 in state funding for the $10 million project. In a joined press conference at the hospital, state Sen. George Maziarz and state Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte announced that each of them had secured $400,000 in grants from their respective governmental branches for the Heart Center. Located on the second floor of a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility on the corner of Tenth Street and Walnut Avenue, the Heart Center will focus on the non-invasive treatment of patients suffering from acute or chronic cardiac disease. Under the direction of Dr. Michael Merhige, a Mayo Clinictrained cardiologist, procedures at the Heart Center will focus on the prevention and reversal of heart* disease by using positron emission tomography to assess the extent of coronary disease. Merhige's treatment regimen involves a complete lifestyle change, including medication, diet and exercise, to reverse and prevent heart disease. Complications from heart diseases rank as the leading cause of death in Niagara County. According to data released by the State Sen. George Maziarz (left) and state Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte show their support of new Heart Center of Niagara by dedicating a. total of $800,000 in state funding to the project, (photo by Larry Kensinger) continued on page 24 ff I continued on page 24 ier j At a Glance j Saturday Spaghetti Dinner Ladies Auxiliary of the Charles N. , DeGlopper Memorial Post #9249 | Veterans of Foreign Wars I 2121 Grand Island Blvd. | 4 to 7 p.m. j Tuesday S River Lea Quilter's Guild j Grand Island High School cafeteria j 7 p.m. 8 For more information, contact j Carolyn at 773-2643 For a complete listing of area j events, visit NFP's Web site at 1 www.wnypapers.com J g^3«3KK«gg_;SS_!KSM_S»Sffi3E_^ms_3K3»SSS^rara™S3a_^aa^ n This Week's 11 i w€**>s**«? ■■■ ■ »■■._- W Celebrating Hometown Life . lMtfl___l._____Fli i for stories & photos at www.wn*:papers.com