Kanjorski Announces $45,765 for Swoyersville Volunteer Hose Company #2

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that the Swoyersville Volunteer Hose Company #2 has received $45,765 federal grant for a new cascade system to refill air bottles, new firefighting gear, and a turnout gear washing and extracting machine. 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 small volunteer fire companies like Swoyersville, which rely upon fundraising and donations for equipment and operations. We must provide our emergency personnel with the best equipment possible, and I am pleased that the federal government recognizes this. These men and women risk their lives for others and the government must protect them," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Swoyersville Fire Department Treasurer Ted Sherrill said he was "thrilled" to get the news. "Due to our limited budget and the difficulty of raising funds through fundraising events, as well as the rising cost of operations and equipment, this grant will help promote the safety of our firefighters by adequately providing them with the best possible equipment available, which in turn will help assist the residents of our community when needed," he said.

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, 82 fire companies in the 11^th congressional district have benefited from this federal grant program.

Congressman Kanjorski has developed a resource guide for firefighters that includes comprehensive federal and state grant and contact information. The guide is available on Congressman Kanjorski's Web site, http://kanjorski.house.gov/.

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