Published: April 25, 2009 10:48 pm      

Funding sought for fire station

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — An aging fire station, now almost a century old, is included in a request for federal funding now pending before Congress.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, a Hollidaysburg Republican whose district covers most of northern Cambria County, is trying to secure $500,000 for a new fire station in Northern Cambria Borough.

If he is successful, the Spangler Fire Company on Bigler Avenue would be fully renovated, and a community park would be built.

According to the funding request from Shuster, the fire company’s original structure, built in 1912, would be demolished, and the 1975 addition to the fire station would be renovated.

The project would pro-

duce a new three-bay fire station.

“What we have to do is reconstruct our building because the condition of it,” said Gary Talarico, fire company treasurer.

“We’re working on some studies and possibly demolishing it.

“We don’t know if it’s going to happen.”

Talarico said the fire company is planning on putting in a park, and has received $10,000 toward that goal.

“A fire station is a crucial public utility for saving lives and community property,” writes Shuster in the funding request.

He outlines the poor condition of the building, saying the roof needs to be replaced, the second floor needs renovation, the exterior brick facade is deteriorating, and other insufficiencies need attention.

The station serves Northern Cambria Borough, Susquehanna Township and West Carroll Township.

But their financial support provides for operation of the fire company only, Shuster’s funding request says.

“The economics of the area cannot provide the funding for this project. We have received a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for this project,” Shuster says.

“We are a small rural volunteer organization and our local economy cannot support this project.’’