Photo from https://www.facebook.com/Upper-Milford-Western-Dist-Fire-Co-1-457396521094356/

(Upper Milford Township, PA) – During Upper Milford Township’s Community Day Celebration, State Senator Pat Browne (SD-16) and Rep. Milou Mackenzie (HD-131) announced a $485,000 state grant has been secured for the Upper Milford Western District Fire Company #1.

Browne and Mackenzie secured these funds through the 2022-2023 state budget.

“Day-in and day-out, the commitment and dedication displayed by our local firefighters is nothing short of extraordinary,” Senator Pat Browne said. “As legislators, it is our duty to ensure that our local departments have the tools necessary to carry out their important mission. I am pleased to have worked with Rep. Milou Mackenzie to secure these funds so that the Upper Milford Western District Fire Company can continue to offer their exceptional level of service to the surrounding community.”

“It has been an absolute honor during my first term as State Representative to work alongside Senator Pat Browne on securing the funding for the Upper Milford Western District Fire Company’s new equipment,” Rep. Mackenzie said. “I know that the Senator and I are both extremely grateful to all of the heroic firefighters who contribute so selflessly to the safety of the citizens in our districts.”

The department is in desperate need of replacing its aging 1990 International Tanker. The vehicle, which the department acquired in 1991, has served the company for 31 years and has outlived its useful life.

The truck will be replaced with a new 3,500 gallon tanker, which will have a 2000 gallon per minute pump capacity and will meet the most up-to-date safety and fire standards.

“The Fire Department has had the need to replace this tanker truck for quite some time,” Kevin Kleinsmith, Upper Milford Western District Fire Company Secretary and lead on the truck replacement project, explained. “The members of the Upper Milford Western District Fire Company cannot thank Senator Browne and Representative Mackenzie enough for the work they did in helping us with this funding.  It takes the department a long time to raise this kind of money for a new truck and we greatly appreciate what they have done for us and the residents of Upper Milford.”

The state grant secured by Browne and Mackenzie serves as the final funds necessary for the purchase of the new truck.

The new truck is estimated to be delivered in late 2024 or early 2025 and is expected to serve the residents of Upper Milford Township and surrounding areas for the next 25 or more years.

Across the Commonwealth, local government and fire department budgets have struggled to accommodate the growing demands placed upon their locally provided services. These issues have been compounded due to budgetary and fundraising disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protecting homes and properties since 1942, Upper Milford Western District Fire Co., commonly known as Old Zionsville Fire Department Station 19, is a 100% volunteer organization, with thirty fire fighters and fire police.

Serving Upper Milford Township along with Citizens Fire Company in Vera Cruz, they also lend mutual aid support to neighbors in Hereford, Seisholtzville, Macungie, Lower Milford and Emmaus.   The fire department responds to around 100 calls per year.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Matt Szuchyt
Deputy Director of Policy & Communications
Senator Pat Browne
Majority Appropriations Chairman
PA 16th Senatorial District
www.senatorbrowne.com
 
 

 

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