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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Todd Eachus |
  
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Eachus presents $45,000 in state funding to police and fire organizations
HAZLETON, Sep. 29 -- State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, will present state grants totaling $45,000 to five area police departments and fire companies to help defray the cost of purchasing vital safety equipment and upgrading facilities.
"Every one of these projects are important to the communities these groups serve, and I was proud to fight in Harrisburg to make sure the funding was approved," Eachus said. "From protecting our children from online predators to giving our firefighters the tools they need to keep themselves safe while protecting our lives and property, these grants will be put to excellent use by these public servants, and I'll always do what I can to support them and others like them in our area."
The grants awarded by Eachus today include:
· $5,000 to the Valley Regional Fire Co. to purchase upgraded communications equipment to improve contact between firefighters at emergency scenes;
· $10,000 to the Harwood Fire Co. to purchase a thermal camera that allows firefighters to "see through" smoke to reach victims and extinguish fires faster;
· $5,000 to the Hazle Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. to outfit the company's new dive team with SCUBA gear and to purchase new equipment to fight brush fires;
· $5,000 to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38 Home Association to renovate the Maxie Cameron Grove used by the FOP and Easter Seals, Big Brothers & Sisters and Boy Scouts;
· $15,000 to the Freeland, White Haven and Butler Township police departments to pay the salaries of officers assigned to the Internet Protection detail tasked with tracking and apprehending online predators.
"These projects will make a positive difference in the lives of so many people, and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to state support for area efforts," Eachus said.
Eachus said he plans additional grant presentations in October to other area groups and organizations.
The grants were part of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Community Revitalization Program, which makes funding available for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to purchase new equipment and upgrade community assets. More information about DCED and the programs it offers is available online at www.newpa.com .
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