|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Nick Kotik |
|
Kotik awards funding to improve local fire company and community
KENNEDY TOWNSHIP, Oct. 4 – State Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Allegheny, today presented the Kennedy Township Volunteer Fire Department with major funding to assist the company and local neighborhoods.
“I am pleased to award this grant for $15,000 to help defray the cost of what it takes to keep a strictly volunteer fire company like Kennedy Township up and running,” Kotik said. “As homeowners, as business owners and as members of local communities, we depend on their service in unfortunate times of need and it is gratifying to be able to give our first responders something back.”
Through the funding, the department is able begin a fire safety program as well as purchase the following equipment:
· one oxygen bottle
· four defibrillators
· 40 rescue wrenches
· 40 hoods for safety gear
· 40 pairs of gloves, and
· 300 smoke detectors.
“Perhaps most importantly, this funding gives the company the capability to help seniors within the community by installing these smoke detectors within their homes,” said Kotik. “The benefits are two-fold: it gives the company the purchasing power to buy these life-saving tools and some of our most vulnerable community members will now be better protected in the event of an emergency.”
“I can speak for the entire company when I say we are all grateful for the assistance of Representative Kotik,” said Drew Hopay. “This will allow us to have better peace of mind with the condition of our fire equipment and help take a lot of our attention off of fundraising and more on the jobs we are trained and ready to do.”
The funding was administered through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
Other funding for volunteer fire companies and ambulance services is available through the state’s Volunteer Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance Company Grant Program. Kotik voted for the new law that renews the grant program for five years, instead of the past practice of renewing it one year at a time.
Kotik said grants awarded under the program may be used for construction and/or renovation of facilities, purchase or repair of furniture and fixtures, purchase or repair of firefighting or rescue equipment, training, debt reduction or certification of members.
This year, the deadline to apply for the grant program is Oct. 11. More information on the program is available at www.osfc.state.pa.us.
###sad/2007/agh l:\print\releases\kenntwpgrant.045
|
CONTACT: Stephany Dugan |