The Spring Valley Fire Department says village trustees are risking lives by playing politics after the board turned down a request for new equipment.

Fire Chief Kenneth Solomon says that the department has been asking the Board of Trustees for a decade to give them funds for much-needed new fire equipment.

The board voted not to pass a $1.5 million bond that would give them a new truck, replace expired gear and get them new gear required by New York state law.

The frustration culminated in a shouting match between the fire chief and board member Asher Grossman at the meeting Tuesday night.

News 12 asked Grossman why the trustees won't approve the funds. He responded by email, putting the blame on the mayor.

"If the mayor was truly concerned about the safety of our volunteers, he would have included in our board meeting agenda last night a list of fire gear and safety equipment needed now, and so badly. If so, I would have voted for that resolution immediately," he says.

The mayor said last meeting that it was given to them 10 days in advance.