FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel  
February 25, 2005                                                                        202.225.6511

Kanjorski Announces $45,000 for Berwick's Reliance Fire Company No. 1

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that Reliance Fire Company in Berwick was awarded $45,000 for 25 sets of turnout gear for its firefighters. Turnout gear includes helmets, pants, coats and boots. The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"The role of our firefighters has become increasingly important as emergency first responders over the past few years. Because fire companies are finding it increasingly difficult to come up with much-needed funding, federal grants play an integral role in the day-to-day operations of our fire companies. We must be willing to provide the necessary funding so that the men and women who protect us have equipment that in turn protects them," Congressman Kanjorski said.  

Fire Company Public Information Officer Bridget Coolbaugh said the fire company would have been able to purchase only one or two sets of gear this year without the grant.

"It's contingent on our fundraising activities," she said.

More than $7.7 million in federal grants has been awarded to fire companies in the 11^th congressional district since the FIRE grant program began. To date, 75 fire companies in the 11^th congressional district have received FIRE grants.

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