Hermitage gets firefighting grant

HERMITAGE, Pa. — The Hermitage Volunteer Fire Company in Mercer County received $79,990 in federal grant money for operations and firefighter safety. 

U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd said the fire department received the funding to improve the fire operations and make sure that firefighters have access to safe equipment. The money was awarded by the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration, as part of its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

English provided information on the program to all of the fire chiefs in the 3rd District including applications for the grant. Up to $485 million was available nationwide in fiscal year 2006 for grants to firefighters to support fire protection, EMS delivery, vehicle purchase, and prevention programs.

The purpose of the overall program is to provide for the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire and fire-related hazards. Qualified personal protective equipment includes anything required for fire fighting personnel by the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration, and other personal protective equipment for fire fighting personnel.