The Lake George Fire Protection District announced the acquisition of a 2026 Ford Transit van primarily for emergency medical service rescue response.

The purchase of the vehicle was made possible through a grant of $80,263.36. LGFPD was able to apply for a financial hardship waiver to be responsible for 10% instead of the normal 50% matching funds.

According to Fire Chief Susan Bernstetter, the vehicle came in early and the upfitting (lights, sirens, radios, logos) is a few months out. The additional equipment costs that are not covered by the grant.

Examples of funding needs are backup generators at all four stations, annual recertifications/inspections of personal protection equipment, pump tests and maintenance of vehicles.

“We need to replace and/or upgrade fire equipment (tools, hoses, and nozzles). The list goes on and on,” Bernstetter said. “We have not been able to complete these with the current budget. We do what we can each year, but that is why the mill levy increase is necessary. It will help tremendously with our increased demands in service requests.”

Lake George District is 250 squares miles ranches, fishing/hunting cabins and secondary vacation homes. There are a limited number of businesses in the ‘town’ of Lake George. Although most of the LGFPD is federal land, they respond to all calls in the district regardless of location.

“We are a volunteer department that provides fire and rescue services and the demand is growing and we need to be properly equipped to provide whatever we are called to do,” Bernstetter concluded.