Area fire company gets $10k grant
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL FILE - A Beaver Township Fire Co. tanker is seen at a fire in Nuremberg.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP – A local fire company is getting a $10k boost thanks to a national insurance firm and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
The Beaver Township Fire Co. was named one of 13 recipients in Pennsylvania, State Farm and the NVFC announced Monday.
This is the second year of the program, dubbed the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, and $1.5 Million was awarded to 150 volunteer fire companies nationwide.
“The NVFC is proud to team up with State Farm to continue the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program and provide critical assistance to volunteer fire departments,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Firefighting and rescue equipment is expensive, and many departments struggle to find the funding they need. These grants from State Farm enable small departments to secure equipment they need to be better prepared to serve their communities and protect their responders.”
“We are proud to support volunteer firefighters – the ultimate good neighbors who risk their lives daily,” said Rasheed Merritt, State Farm corporate responsibility assistant vice president. “At State Farm, we’re committed to helping people manage everyday risks and building safer, stronger communities.”
In Schuylkill County, the Yorkville Hose Co. in Pottsville was also named a recipient.
Monday’s announcement came on Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day. Volunteers make up 65% of the fire service, including the entire Shenandoah Fire Department and the Sentinel coverage area excluding Hazleton.
Many of the departments operate with limited budgets, making it difficult to meet the rising costs of the equipment and gear they need to best serve the community.
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