By Hannah Poling
Staff Writer
The Pleasant Township Fire Department has been selected to receive a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award.
The township has been the recipient of two of these grants for separate projects.
“We are extremely grateful to the AFG and those involved in the grant process for this award,” said Pleasant Township Fire Chief Brian Taylor.
The first federal grant was awarded on Aug. 3 and was in the amount of $108,000. That grant money will be used to replace all of the old mobile radios in the department.
“Many of these radios are in excess of 10 years old, and as such are technologically out of date,” said Taylor.
The manufacturer, Motorola, no longer supports the current radios, which makes it difficult to obtain parts to repair the devices.
The fire department will use the grant money to replace eight mobile radios and 15 portable radios. The cost to the township is 5 percent of the total cost, or approximately $5,400.
The second grant was awarded on Aug. 12 for about $250,000 and will be used to replace an ambulance.
“Our oldest medic is now 11 years old and has been nearing the end of its service life,” said Taylor.
Over the past few years, major repairs have been made on the current unit to keep it running and road ready up to the cost of $20,000. The township will contribute $12,500 to the cost of the emergency vehicle.
In the past four years, the Pleasant Township Fire Department has received funding from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award for approximately $832,000. This funding has been used to replace two vehicles, purchase 17 sets of turnout gear and replace other outdated equipment.
“We have been able to replace numerous items and make upgrades that otherwise would not have been possible,” said Taylor. “This has reduced the burden on our budget and the taxpayers for the replacement of this much-needed equipment.”
