Five fire departments secure federal funds

VALLEY VIEW – Five west-end fire departments in Schuylkill County received federal funds Monday to boost their preparedness in the event of an emergency.
U.S. Congressman Tim Holden, D-17, delivered the checks, totalling more than $178,000 to the volunteer squads.
The federal grants were awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).
The purpose of the program is to award grants directly to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel, with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
A breakdown of the amounts awarded are: Valley View ($47,733); Sacramento ($28,684); Hegins ($11,163); Reinerton ($61,275) and Donaldson ($29,222).
Locally, it means some brand new equipment for some companies, and replacing worn-out or outdated equipment for others.
The Valley View Fire Department, for instance,  will use the monies to purchase 25 sets of new turnout gear, replacing old protective clothing which is nearly 15 years old, according to Valley View Fire Chief Darren Herb.  The funds will allow the department to obtain 25 coats, 25 pants, 30 pair of boots, 5 helmets, 30 pair of gloves, and 30 “nomex” protective hoods.
Herb, who assisted in writing the narrative to apply for the grant, said the funds are 95/5, meaning 95-percent of the funds come from the federal government grant, and the other 5-percent of the monies for the purchases will come from matching funds from each local department.
Sacramento Fire Chief Ronald T. Radel said Sacramento Community Fire Company will use the money to purchase new radios, stabilization gear, and rescue tools, similar to the “Jaws of Life”.  The current radios are about 5- to 10-years old.
In Hegins, meanwhile, the fire department will get brand new equipment.  Hegins Fire Company Vice-President Scott Updegrave said Hegins will be purchasing a thermal imaging camera and a multi-gas meter with the grant.
Holden reported since the grant program has been available, about $12.7 million has been awarded to Schuylkill County volunteer fire departments since 2001.
By law, Holden said, the majority of the grant funds must go to volunteer companies.
Holden called the grants a “good investment,” and told the volunteers, “It’s been a great honor working with you.”
After making the check presentations for Hegins, Sacramento, and Valley View at the Valley View facility, Holden then traveled to Reinerton Volunteer Fire Company to present the grant checks to the Reinerton and Donaldson departments.

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