12/14/06:Kanjorski Announces More Than $829,000 in Federal for 5 Columbia County Fire Companies

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
Dec. 14, 2006                                                                        202.225.6511          

Kanjorski Announces More Than $829,000 in Federal for 5 Columbia County Fire Companies

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that five fire companies in Columbia County have been awarded a total of $829,066 through the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Benton Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $164,588 for a new brush/mini-pumper. In addition, Aristes Fire Company #1 received $266,000; Lime Ridge Fire Company #1 was awarded $40,375; West Berwick Hose Company #1 received $285,570; and Catawissa Hose Company Number One was awarded $72,533.

The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which helps firefighters and other first responders receive funding for equipment, vehicles, training, and operations.

"Local fire departments find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, and these federal grants play a vital role in helping our firefighters upgrade their equipment and provide adequate training. Our first responders face dangers each day that we cannot even imagine, and we owe it to them and their families to make sure they have the protection they need," Congressman Kanjorski

Benton Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Harold Morris commented on the importance of the grants. "This helps us buy equipment we otherwise would not be able to get, and it protects our firefighters and helps us do the job we're supposed to do," Chief Morris said.

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000. More than $10.8 million in federal grants has been awarded to fire companies in the 11th congressional district since the FIRE grant program began. To date, 99 fire companies in the 11th congressional district have benefited from this federal grant program.