Kanjorski Announces $237,927 for Defender Fire Company #3  

Berwick, Pa. - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today joined with members of the Defender Fire Company #3 at their fire station to announce a $237,927 grant for a 2006 Crimson pumper, replacing the department's 27-year-old engine.

With today's announcement, Congressman Kanjorski has now secured a total of more than $500,000 for Berwick fire companies. The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Congressman Kanjorski has long been a vocal advocate in ensuring firefighters and other emergency responders are well-equipped.

"Fire departments find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet as their operation costs increase and budgets decrease, and municipal governments are less able to give financial help to volunteer fire departments. Our firefighters face dangers that we cannot even imagine every time they are called to a fire. We owe it to them and to their families to ensure that they have safe, up-to-date equipment that protects them," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Defender Fire Company President Dennis Slusser said the company would not have been able to afford the new vehicle without the grant. "The FIRE grants are a God-send and a God-save for all of our volunteer fire departments," President Slusser said. "By the time we would have been able to raise the money, our old truck would be gone by the wayside. This grant allows my men to be safe and it benefits the town of Berwick."

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000. Nearly $8.6 million in federal grants has been awarded to fire companies in the 11^th congressional district since the FIRE grant program began. To date, 80 fire companies in the 11^th congressional district have benefited from this federal grant program.

Congressman Kanjorski has developed a resource guide for firefighters that includes comprehensive federal and state grant and contact information. The guide is available on Congressman Kanjorski's Web site, http://kanjorski.house.gov/.

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