AFG funds help Pa. FD replace 50-year-old rig with new fire engine

By Bob Kalinowski
The Citizens’ Voice

NEWPORT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The township hosted a celebration for its newest piece of equipment on Monday, a new fire truck worth almost $700,000.

U.S. Rep Dan Meuser, R-9, of Dallas, was on hand to dedicate the new truck at the township’s Wanamie station.

“I’m very happy. This is what we do. It’s one of the best things we do in Washington. Our constituent services are delivering. You as volunteer firemen from throughout Pennsylvania work our weight in gold,” Meuser said.

This new Pierce Saber pumper truck, placed into service on Oct. 5, was funded through a $564,761 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awarded in February 2023.

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The purpose of the federal AFG Program is to award grants directly to fire departments, non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations, and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. Using a competitive process that is informed by fire service subject-matter experts, grants are awarded to applicants whose requests best address the priorities of the AFG Program.

Meuser, who advocated for the grant and provided a letter of support for the application, emphasized the critical need to replace the department’s 50-year-old Mack telesquirt truck.

The new vehicle enhances the safety of first responders and residents while equipping the department with modern capabilities.

Newport Twp Manager Joe Hillan hailed the grant, the largest federal award in the township’s history, as a “transformative” investment in public safety.

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