FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
Sept. 15, 2005                                                                         202.225.6511

Kanjorski Announces $31,370 for Queen City Hose Company No. 8

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that Queen City Hose Company No. 8 in Olyphant was awarded a $31,370 grant for firefighting equipment, including a pump for its truck, and a diesel fume extraction system for the fire station.

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.

"Grants like these are essential to volunteer fire companies like Queen City because so many of them rely on fundraising and donations to continue to operate. We must provide our emergency personnel with the best equipment possible, and I am pleased that the federal government has a grant program that helps to ease the financial burdens these companies face," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Gene Turko, vice president of Queen City Hose Company No. 8, expressed gratitude for Congressman Kanjorski's help. "We appreciate the grant very much. We know Congressman Kanjorski is always working for the volunteer firemen, and we appreciate his interest in helping. We're glad that he and others in Congress recognize the work of the volunteer firemen," Mr. Turko said.

The Queen City Hose Company No. 8 previously received a FIRE grant for $86,834 in 2003.

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000. More than $8.7 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.

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