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Pocono News Section
Olyphant Gets Grant for New Fire Truck
Olyphant Gets Grant for New Fire Truck - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:30PM EST
OLYPHANT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- People who live in part of Lackawanna County will soon have better fire protection. Excelsior Hose Company #1 in Olyphant is getting a brand new fire truck.
For volunteers news of the new rescue pumper has been a long time coming. Chief Chris Barilka said, “To me, this is a great day for the Borough of Olyphant."
Barilka says the new truck will let them combine and replace two outdated vehicles. Both are more than 15 years old. “This truck is not FPA compliant, so by getting a new vehicle, we'll be 100-percent FPA compliant, to better serve Olyphant."
The borough is getting help from the federal government in order to pay for the new truck - more than $237,000 in help. Representative Paul Kanjorski said, “Not very many companies are successful in getting a grant to an actual truck. This is an unusual occasion. It means they're doing the right thing."
But volunteers know they're going to have to keep doing the right thing. Company President Dave Tully said, “With the price of the new apparatus, we're probably gonna have to raise another $163,000, but it’s not a problem."
If all goes according to plan, the new fire truck should be here by early next year. Officials and volunteers here are calling it a belated Christmas present.
In the meantime, volunteers are asking for the community's continued support at their annual events. “Firefighting is a very small part of this organization, really, you're either cleaning or getting ready for a fundraiser or planning a fundraiser," added Barilka. | | |
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