By Janice Crompton
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Copyright 2007 P.G. Publishing Co.
HOUSTON, Pa. — Two local volunteer fire departments will soon be able to purchase life-saving equipment and supplies, thanks to a federal grant aimed at helping firefighters.
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, last week announced the grants, more than $200,000 of which will go to fire departments in Washington and Greene counties.
The Houston Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $111,385, and the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company in Greene County received $92,579 from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program.
“These grants help our firefighters to do a better job with less risk to their lives as they volunteer to protect their friends and neighbors,” Mr. Murtha said in a statement.
Jefferson VFC President Alan “Rip” Jenkins said his department, which includes about 20 active members, will use the grant to purchase 15 sets of turnout gear, consisting of coats, pants, boots, gloves and hoods.
The department will also buy 10 new, self-contained breathing units which includes a mask with a faceplate that features a digital readout displaying crucial information, and a device that sounds an alarm if a firefighter is motionless for a set period of time.
Mr. Jenkins said the company also will buy 15 tone pagers and about 2,000 feet of large-diameter fire hose.
To be eligible for the grants, both departments have to pony up 5 percent of their awards to add to the total.
Mr. Jenkins said his group plans to raise the money through twice-weekly bingo games, but it’s a struggle, he said, because the department already has to raise about $250,000 a year to meet its utility and truck payment bills.
Al Nagy, president of the Houston VFD, said his department will upgrade about 18 of its self-contained breathing units, and purchase new radios and a second thermal imaging camera.
The department also plans to buy a rotary saw with a diamond blade that can cut through brick and metal walls, and other entrapment and entry tools for the department’s rapid intervention team.
Mr. Nagy said he hopes his group can raise its share of the grant through annual fundraisers, such as the Houston Pumpkin Festival, a car cruise and a mail solicitation.
With a $60,000 annual budget, the grant — at almost double that — was a real shot in the arm for the department, Mr. Nagy said.
“It really is a plus for us,” he said.
“It would have taken us five years to [raise] that.”