Toomey Heralds Nearly $108,000 Federal Grant for Union Township Fire Company in Winfield

Harrisburg, Pa.- U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announced today that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $107,715 grant to the Union Township Fire Company in Winfield (Union County).

The Union Township Fire Company will use the grant funding to purchase 18 self-contained breathing apparatuses, which are used to protect the respiratory system of firefighters when combatting a fire. Senator Toomey wrote a letter in support of the Union Township Fire Company's application.

"I am pleased to announce the $107,715 grant awarded to the Union Township Fire Company," said Sen. Toomey. "Our firefighters make extraordinary sacrifices to serve our communities. Ensuring that firefighters and other first responders have the proper equipment is essential in their efforts to not only respond to emergencies, but to keep themselves safe in the process."

The Union Township Fire Company is staffed by 24 active volunteer firefighters and provides fire protection and safety and emergency medical services in Union County. Their primary response area consists of 11 square miles with a population of nearly 1,600 people.

The officers and membership of the Union Township Fire Company offered the following statement regarding this grant:

"We are greatly appreciative of Senator Toomey's assistance in helping to secure this grant. These monies will go a long way in helping us upgrade our self-contained breathing apparatus with up-to-date, compliant equipment for the safety and well-being of our volunteers and will also allow us to become more compatible with the neighboring departments."

The text of Sen. Toomey's letter is below:

February 10, 2017

Mr. Brian Kamoie
Assistant Administrator for Grants Programs
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / FEMA

Dear Mr. Kamoie:

I am pleased to provide this letter of support for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program application submitted by the Union Township Volunteer Fire Company (UTFC).

Founded in 1958, the UTFC provides fire protection and safety and emergency medical services for a largely rural community in Union County. Their primary response area consists of 11 square miles with a population of 1,589. UTFC has 24 active volunteer firefighters who provide automatic and mutual aid, and they participate in the North Central Task Force team. They provide fire protection, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Emergency Medical Response, Maritime Operations/Firefighting, Structural Fire Suppression, and Wildland Fire Suppression. If awarded, they will acquire Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units to cover each seated riding position. They are seeking 18 SCBAs with 18 air masks and 36 accompanying spare bottles. The SCBA will have 4500 psi high pressure with 45 min carbon fiber cylinder with face piece and spare bottle, CBRNE regulator, automatic on or integrated PASS alarm system with thermal alarm, voice amplifier, HUD, and RIT connections.

I respectfully request that you give their Regional application all due consideration. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Pat Toomey
United States Senator