Published: January 04, 2009 11:07 pm      

Two area fire companies receive safety grants

The Windber and New Florence volunteer fire companies have been awarded federal grants to make safety improvements for their firefighters.

The grants are from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown.

Windber firefighters will receive a $40,375 Assistance to Firefighters Grant while New Florence will receive $76,000.

“Nearly 75 percent of our nation’s 35,000 local fire agencies are volunteer,” Murtha said. “Their jobs are made more difficult by shrinking budgets that don’t have the flexibility for funding equipment, training or new vehicles.

“These grants help our firefighters and emergency medical service organizations respond safely and efficiently, so that they can do a better job of protecting our communities.”

Windber firefighters will use the grant to purchase and install a vehicle-exhaust system for their station, said Windber fire Capt. Craig Cicon.

“We’re excited about the grant,” he said.

When they start their vehicles to respond to a call or return from one, the bay fills up with exhaust fumes from the diesel engines, he said.

“The exhaust system will make for a cleaner environment for firefighters,” he said. “We won’t be breathing fumes any longer.”

He said the project currently is out for bids. The next step is to examine bids to determine the best system for them, he said.

In New Florence, fire company President Phillip Ferris said the grant will enable them to purchase 16 new self-contained breathing apparatus units.

“We’re elated to get this grant,” he said, adding that this is the third consecutive year that the company has tried to get the funding.

The grant pays for 95 percent of the costs and the fire company will be responsible for the remaining 5 percent, he said. Total cost of the equipment is around $80,000, he said.

The units will replace ones that are more than 15 years old, he said.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said. “We want to be able to provide our volunteers with the best that we can to keep them safe,” he said.

Various manufacturers will be asked to demonstrate their equipment so the fire company can select the brand best suited for them, he said.