FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
Friday, April 9, 2004                                                               202.225.6511

Kanjorski Announces $50,173 for Lehighton Fire Department

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski today announced that the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company was awarded a $50,173 for fire prevention, including the purchase of a fire safety trailer, distribution of smoke detectors to children and a Safety Day.

The money is part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) grant program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Lynn Diehl said the fire safety trailer will teach children about safety and what to do if there is a fire. The trailer will even have smoke simulations inside.

"This is a big asset to our fire prevention program," Assistant Chief Diehl said. "We could never have afforded one on our own. It will be used throughout the entire Carbon County area by other fire departments too."

Additionally, the fire company will distribute smoke detectors to the children at Franklin Township Elementary School and will host a Safety Day along with other emergency service organizations.

"Firefighters play a critical role in protecting our communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania," Congressman Kanjorski said.  "In order to provide essential emergency services, our firefighters need the most current equipment and training programs. That is why I and other Members of Congress have made funding FIRE grants a priority and fought an attempt by President Bush to cut these grants."

Congressman Kanjorski was among 286 cosponsors of the FIRE Act of 2000.

President Bush's proposed 2005 budget would cut Homeland Security Department funding for firefighters. The President's first two budgets did not include FIRE grant funding, but Congress stepped up to ensure that the nation's firefighters were not shortchanged.

"Cutting funding for FIRE grants is unacceptable. These federal dollars are vital to the continuation of our fire stations and fire companies in Northeastern Pennsylvania as well as across the nation," Congressman Kanjorski said.

A June 2003 independent task force report entitled "Emergency Responders: Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared" indicated that only 10 percent of fire departments have the personnel to handle a building collapse.

 "Long before Sept. 11, it was evident that our firefighters lacked the necessary tools they need," Congressman Kanjorski said. "While we still have a long way to go to get our emergency responders the tools they need, FIRE grants provide a good first step in eliminating some of the deficiencies in equipment and training."

More than $2.2 million has been awarded to fire departments in Congressman Kanjorski's district since the start of the FIRE grant program.

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