Three FDNY firehouses in Queens are slated for long-awaited building repairs after Councilmember Joann Ariola secured $5.6 million in city funding for the department.
The largest piece, $5 million, targets repairs at Engine 266 in Rockaway, Engine 331/Ladder 173 in Howard Beach, and Engine 285/Ladder 142 in Ozone Park. The plan calls for roof replacements at Engine 266 and Engine 285/Ladder 142. At Engine 331/Ladder 173, the scope includes a full masonry restoration along with window replacements.
Ariola, who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, said some of the buildings are more than a century old and have faced leaks, damaged bathrooms, broken flooring, and other issues that affect day-to-day operations. She described the condition of the buildings as a safety concern for firefighters moving rigs in and out of the houses.
For mason contractors and restoration crews, the roof-first approach highlights a key reality of exterior rehab: water drives deterioration. Ariola said windows break down when roofs leak, so stopping water entry sets the stage for durable window work and masonry repairs. On jobs that pair window replacement with masonry restoration, the scope around openings matters, including interfaces at sills and jambs, and protecting finished masonry while adjacent trades work.
Ariola also secured $330,000 for an emergency crew truck to provide 24/7 roadside assistance to FDNY vehicles across Queens, plus funding for a new EMS van and a new ceremonial vehicle.
Project design and scoping will determine logistics during construction. Ariola said FDNY operations will continue uninterrupted.
Read the full, original article from Queens Chronicle here.