Kanjorski Announces $54,855 for Germania Hose Company
More than $3.5 million awarded to fire companies in the 11^th District since beginning of FIRE grant program

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that the Germania Hose Company in Duryea has been awarded $54,855 for operations and firefighter safety. The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The money will be used for self-contained breathing apparatuses, or SCBA.

"Every time we go into the fire, we have the air packs on. The air packs we have now are really outdated," said Duryea Mayor Keith Moss, who is also a firefighter and vice-president of the Germania Hose Company. "Congressman Kanjorski has been very instrumental in helping the fire department get the grant and helping the Borough get whatever we need. He's absolutely fantastic with helping people in general."

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

"Firefighters are heroes who play a critical role in protecting our communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania," Congressman Kanjorski said.  "In order to provide essential emergency services, our firefighters need the most current equipment and training programs. That is why I and other Members of Congress have made funding FIRE grants a priority and fought an attempt by President Bush to cut these grants."

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000.

President Bush's proposed 2005 budget would cut Homeland Security Department funding for firefighters. The President's first two budgets did not include FIRE grant funding, but Congress stepped up to ensure that the nation's firefighters were not shortchanged.

"Cutting funding for FIRE grants is unacceptable. These federal dollars are vital to the continuation of our fire stations and fire companies in Northeastern Pennsylvania as well as across the nation," Congressman Kanjorski said.

A June 2003 independent task force report entitled "Emergency Responders: Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared" indicated that only 10 percent of fire departments have the personnel to handle a building collapse.

"Long before Sept. 11, it was evident that our firefighters lacked the necessary tools they need," Congressman Kanjorski said. "While we still have a long way to go to get our emergency responders the tools they need, FIRE grants provide a good first step in eliminating some of the deficiencies in equipment and training."

More than $3.5 million has been awarded to fire departments in Congressman Kanjorski's district over the past three years. In April, the Lehighton Fire Department received $50,173 for fire prevention, including the purchase of a fire safety trailer and distribution of smoke detectors to children.

Congressman Kanjorski celebrated with the Germania Hose Company when the organization had its 100^th anniversary in September of 2003.

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