HARRISBURG – Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) today announced firefighters at Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department will benefit from a nearly $160,000 state grant to pay for new breathing equipment.
“This grant will provide Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department firefighters with some of the equipment they need to perform the difficult and dangerous work necessary to protect the community,” Coleman said. “Our volunteer firefighters provide an essential public service and we want to make sure they have the tools they need to do their job.”
The nearly $160,000 state grant will be used to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), including air packs, bottles and masks.
The department currently uses older model SCBAs, and the newer model SCBAs it will be able to purchase with the grant provide upgraded and additional safety features and benefits.
Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department covers the more than 26 square miles of Weisenberg Township and provides mutual aid to surrounding municipalities in Lehigh and Berks counties. The all-volunteer department provides fire protection, responds to vehicle accidents and assists area emergency medical crews on critical calls.
Funding for the SCBAs is being provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.
Residents who want to learn more about Coleman can visit his website at SenatorColeman.com, follow him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorJarrettColeman and sign up for email newsletters at SenatorColeman.com/eNewsletters.
CONTACT: Robert Arena
484-861-4964