Kanjorski Announces $237,500 for Diligent Fire Company #3  

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that Diligent Fire Company #3 in Jim Thorpe received a grant for $237,500 for a new tanker that will replace its existing 1977 vehicle. 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.

"Volunteer fire departments find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet as operation costs increase and budgets decrease. Federal grants play a vital role in helping our fire departments update their equipment. Our firefighters face dangers each day that we cannot even imagine, and we owe it to them to ensure that they have safe, up-to-date equipment that protects them," Congressman Kanjorski said.

Jim Thorpe Fire Chief William Diehm called the grant a "God-send" for the company, which is one of three stations that comprise the Jim Thorpe Fire Department. "We couldn't have afforded it on our own. It takes a numerous amount of fund drives and raffles each year to come up with funding," Chief Diehm said.

The much-needed tanker will improve transport of water to housing developments that do not have a residential water supply. "In the rural areas within Jim Thorpe proper, firefighting can only be done with a tanker or water carried on an engine," Chief Diehm added.

Diligent Fire Company #3 previously was awarded a FIRE grant for $52,348 in 2003.

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000. More than $8.5 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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