Citizens Voice
Kanjorski attends unveiling of new Pittston City fire truck
By Heidi Ruckno
March 30, 2008

PITTSTON - The Pittston City Fire Department used a $535,307 federal grant to offset the purchase of an $850,000 fire engine, which they unveiled Saturday.

The truck was on display Saturday at the Pittston City Fire Department, 20 Kennedy St. U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, who helped the city acquire the grant funding, posed for photos in front of the truck with firefighters in uniform and Pittston Mayor Joe Keating.

"Let met take the opportunity to congratulate the fire department on putting the application together," Kanjorski said.

The department was awarded the grant in fiscal year 2006, from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to a statement issued by Kanjorski's office.

Pittston City paid about $60,000 for the truck, and the Pennsylvania Firefighter's Relief Fund Association paid the balance of about $255,000, said Keating, a former Pittston fire chief.

The new truck replaces an engine that was more than 30 years old, he said.

"We certainly appreciate Congressman Kanjorski's efforts on our behalf," said Keating, who indicated the grant saved Pittston City residents the equivalent of 26 mills in property tax.