West Hazleton Gets $261,250 to Buy New Pumper Truck
By Steve Mocarsky, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Nov. 28–WEST HAZLETON — U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, probably summed up the situation best when he said, "This is one big check!"
The congressman on Tuesday presented a ceremonial check in the amount of $261,250 to borough officials and Fire Chief Bob Ward that will pay 95 percent of the cost of a new pumper truck for the borough’s mostly volunteer fire department.
The truck will replace a 1976 Seagrave pumper that has been bleeding the borough’s coffers with repair costs.
Kanjorski said the Fiscal Year 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Fire Administration is unusually large, and a testament to Ward’s "hard work, dedication, perseverance and focus" in pursuing it.
"Seldom do you see a check of this size go to a fire department. You’ll see checks for $50,000 or $75,000. … This is like hitting the Lotto," he said.
The borough sorely needed the financial assistance.
The state declared West Hazleton a financially distressed municipality in 2003, when it was $3.5 million in debt. Borough employees were laid off, including 11 paid firefighters.
The department now has two paid fire drivers and 45 active volunteers who work hard to raise donations every year.
"We’ve got an aging community here. With today’s prices, how can they afford to survive, let alone donate to the fire company?" Ward said.
Ward said the new truck will cost about $275,000, and the federal grant will cover 95 percent of the cost. He expects borough council will award a contract for the fire truck manufacturing in December, and it should be on the streets by summer 2008.
Nicole Matsko, a legislative aide for state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, said Eachus’ office is working to help the borough acquire state grants for additional firefighting equipment.
The need for fire department funding in the borough is obvious.
Ward said the department answered about 50 calls per year when he joined it in 1974. Today, the department responds to about 400 calls annually, and Ward suspects about 35 percent of the residential fires to which the department responds are cases of arson.
Mayor Mark Rockovich was pleased with Ward’s efforts and appreciative of the federal money.
"We’re extremely happy to get this grant. We’ll be able to provide better service to the residents and reduce our annual operation expenses on the vehicles," he said.
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