Kanjorski Announces $23,280 for Lehigh & Lausanne Volunteer Fire Company

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that Lehigh & Lausanne Volunteer Fire Company in Weatherly was awarded $23,280 for new safety equipment for its firefighters. The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"In order to provide essential emergency services, our firefighters need the most current equipment and training programs. Volunteer fire departments find it increasingly difficult to come up with the money to buy much-needed equipment. We owe it to them to do all we can to help provide funding to help protect them," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Fire Chief Charlie Puzzetti said the program is really important to volunteer fire companies. "Our biggest income is our fund drive, so grants are a big part of how we get our newer equipment," he said.

More than $7.7 million in federal grants has been awarded to fire companies in the 11^th congressional district since the FIRE grant program began. To date, 75 fire companies in the 11^th congressional district have received FIRE grants.

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