New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office will conduct a training session in cooperation with Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein on financial safeguards for fire districts in Ulster County. The training will take place on June 23, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the SUNY Ulster Campus in Stone Ridge, N.Y. The training will be open to fire district officials as well as EMS agencies.

“Fire district officials can benefit from this training to help them protect their assets by tightening their internal controls and strengthening checks and balances,” DiNapoli said. “Prevention is the best way to protect public funds.”  

“The vast majority of fire departments are run by committed and amazing volunteers who risk their lives protecting people and property throughout Ulster County. With that said, in light of the announcement by Comptroller DiNapoli and the Ulster County District Attorney, our public‘s trust has been compromised in a number of separate incidences and we are committed to providing tools to help,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “Ulster County is fortunate to be partnering with the New York State Comptroller’s Office to offer internal controls training as a resource to all fire departments and EMS agencies throughout Ulster County.” 

“I appreciate County Executive Hein being proactive in working with State Comptroller DiNapoli’s office to offer an internal controls training for all fire services,” said Ray Preziosi, president, Association of Fire Districts of Ulster County. “The training will allow commissioners to run fire districts more efficiently while protecting the taxpayers. I look forward to participating in the training and I urge all fire district commissioners to attend.”  

“Internal controls training will be beneficial to all of our fire departments as well as the community,” said Everett Erichsen, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and third assistant chief of Highland Hose Company No. 1.  “County Executive Hein recognizes the amazing individuals serving within the fire services.  And by utilizing the expertise of the State Comptroller’s Office, this training will be a valuable tool for all fire departments.” 

The move comes after DiNapoli’s office uncovered nearly $240,000 stolen from the Wallkill Fire District, leading to criminal charges by Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright earlier this month. 

Ulster County will be hosting the training on June 23, 2015 which will be conducted by the Comptroller’s Division of Local Government and School Accountability. 

To register and RSVP contact Ulster County’s Director of Emergency Communications, Steve Peterson at 845-331-7000 or send an email with attendee names and the agency they represent to spet[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us.