The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort presented the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department with a check for the amount of $852,800 to be used to repay a USDA loan for a new Tower 94 fire truck on Tuesday, February 11. The Tower 94 truck is a Rosenbauer Cobra aerial fire truck that was built on a 2013 Spartan Gladiator chassis. The Tower 94 was purchased through USDA funding in the amount of 974,070.00. The truck's actual cost was $911,263.00 and additional tools and equipment cost $62,807.00. This truck was manufactured by Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus with exact specification from HAVFD. In fact, future trucks made by Rosenbauer will use the changes and specifications in the manufacturing of future fire trucks.

Rosenbauer is considered a global leader in firefighting technology and the world's largest manufacturer of fire equipment. Tower 94 is a 101' rear-mount platform equipped with Rosenbauer Smart Aerial Technology. With this aerial technology and equipment, Tower 94 is capable of reaching the 7th floor of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino's Hotel in the event of an emergency.

On hand to present the check was AMC GM/CEO Pat Bassney and several AMC staff members as well as Tribal Chief Beverly Cook and Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance. USDA's Brian Murray and Renee Hotte were instrumental in assisting Fire Chief Derek Comins and HAVFD Treasurer Jason McDonald in completing required paperwork.

Former Fire Chiefs Jack Treptow, Mose McDonald Jr., Frank Lacerenza, Charlie Jacobs and Donnie Comins were given front row honorary seats and were the first to take part in Tower 94 inaugural ride.

During the presentation of the check, Chief Beverly Cook made a special presentation to Tyren Light for his heroism. During the summer, Tyren noticed smoke billowing out from a neighbor's attached garage and thinking quickly and moving swiftly, Tyren ran to the house and knocked on the door until the occupants answered. Tyren was hailed a hero and he was presented a beaded medal by Intensive Preventive Program staff, Racine Johnson, who heard of Tyren's heroics and felt he needed to be acknowledged and given a medal. Tyren is the son of Tasha Square and the late Sky Light. Tyren's grandparents Mark and Marla Light and Mrs. Square were also present to honor their brave and quick thinking grandson.

Staff of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, Chiefs from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and present members of the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department with the check used for the purchase of a new fire truck that includes aerial equipment that can reach the seventh floor of the casino in an emergency.

Guests were treated to a delicious lunch of corn soup and fried bread and were given t-shirts with the logo of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort and the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department commemorating their partnership in this worthy and life saving endeavor.