FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
Oct. 28, 2005                                                           202-225-6511

Kanjorski Announces $117,536 in FIRE Grants for Two Carbon County Fire Companies

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that American Fire Company #1 in Lansford has been awarded $84,286 and Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company has received $33,250 for firefighting equipment.

The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"Firefighters are heroes who play a critical role in protecting our communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. I am pleased that the federal government is providing the money for these men and women who are out there saving lives while risking their own. We owe it to them to do all we can to help provide equipment that protects them," Congressman Kanjorski said. "In order to provide essential emergency services, our firefighters need the most current equipment and training programs."

The Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company will use its $33,250 grant for a vehicle exhaust removal system. The company houses three vehicles, two of which are diesel, in a two-bay garage. The engine room doubles as a meeting room and training room for CPR and First Aid, and there is a social hall next door. "This is for the health and welfare of the patrons who use the fire company as well as our firefighters," Fire Chief Mike Spairana said.

Chief Spairana said the grants are extremely helpful. "Without outside sources of funding, we would never be able to afford something like this," he said. "It's great that the government offers this."

American Fire Company #1 will use its $84,286 grant for self-contained breathing apparatuses, or SCBAs.

Second Assistant Fire Chief Joe Greco said the news made his day. "It's difficult enough to raise funds for normal operating expenses, let alone new equipment," he said. "We definitely appreciate this program and we appreciate the support Congressman Kanjorski has given us."

This marks the fourth FIRE grant for American Fire Company #1, and the second of this year. The department was awarded $158,400 for a new firefighting vehicle in January 2005. Prior to that, American Fire Company #1 benefited from a $46,796 FIRE grant in 2003 and a $71,845 grant in 2002.

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

$9 million in federal grants has been awarded to fire companies in the 11^th congressional district since the FIRE grant program began. To date, 85 fire companies in the 11^th congressional district have benefited from this federal grant program.

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