POUGHKEEPSIE — As interior reconstruction of the fire damaged Hooker Avenue Firehouse continues, a contingent of local and federal officials – including Congressman Pat Ryan, toured the progress on Wednesday.
forcing delays in operations and repairs at the nearly century-old station. The firehouse, home to Engine 3 and staffed 24/7 by two firefighters and a lieutenant, was built in 1929 as the city’s first station for career firefighters, according to the Poughkeepsie Fire Department.
After the fire gutted the second-floor living quarters, The city later leased a vacant building adjacent to the Hooker Avenue firehouse. Once conditions allowed, Engine 3 returned to its original station, while firefighters began living next door as renovations continued.
Earlier in 2024, before the fire, U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) secured $850,000 in federal funding to address critical repairs at the firehouse. At the time, the building faced significant problems, including windows falling out of their frames, a sagging engine bay floor, and sewer lines backing up into the basement when the washing machine and second-floor shower operated simultaneously.
Ryan toured the ongoing reconstruction at the firehouse on Wednesday, joined by Mayor Yvonne Flowers, City Manager Joe Donat and Acting Fire Chief Vincent Parise. The tour highlighted a partnership between city and federal officials, with Ryan inspecting work funded by his $850,000 Community Project Funding and more than $570,000 in city-allocated emergency restoration resources — a total investment of about $1.5 million.
“Firefighters have been operating out of the historic City of Poughkeepsie fire station for nearly 100 years,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “They even battled a fire of their own and had firefighters back in the station just days later. I’m proud to have delivered funding to help make some critical improvements to the firehouse, to ensure that Hudson Valley heroes can continue keeping us safe for decades to come.”
“Since the incident our Fire Department has shown remarkable adaptability and commitment to public safety. Through our success in securing a neighboring property, our firefighters maintained uninterrupted 24/7 emergency response coverage to limit increases in response times both immediately after the August fire and throughout this entire construction process,” City Administrator Joseph Donat said.
“Before the incident, this neighborhood had seen their firehouse deteriorate, and I believe this restoration brings a new sense of hope to the area for our residents,” said Mayor Yvonne Flowers. “We are grateful for Congressman Ryan’s support, as these funds protect our taxpayers from being burdened by these construction costs in the future.”
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