New Portable Radios Thanks to a Federal Grant

On Friday, May 10th, 2013 the Glen Moore Fire Company received notice of our third Federal Grant for 2012 would be awarded in the amount of $430,000.00. The award for portable radios will go ensure every firefighter has a portable radio for communication purposes.

The grant was a regional application involving six Chester County fire stations, all of which will share in the funding. This is also the largest grant award in the state of Pennsylvania for this award cycle.

Firefighters from Glen Moore, Westwood, Cochranville, Modena, Wagontown, and Thorndale Fire Companies will each share in the funding. Glen Moore will receive a total of $79,856 to aid in the purchase of 39 portable radios.

We are extremely fortunate that the Commissioners of Chester County currently purchase the infrastructure and mobile radio equipment for our communications system. A specific allotment of portable radios is also provided to each Fire and EMS agency within the county, however there is not enough equipment for each firefighter to be provided with a portable radio. This grant provides an opportunity to for all involved to expand upon the equipment we receive and supplement additional portable radios to our firefighters and EMS personnel.

Chester County is in the process of implementing a new radio system which is expected to go live in 2015. The new portable equipment will be compatible with both the current and the new communications system.

In the FY2012 cycle, Glen Moore has received funding in the amount of $42,305 for the purchase of rescue tools, $162,500 for the purchase of a regional driver training simulator hosted by the Westwood Fire Company, and $79,000 from this regional radio grant.

A formal press release involving our Congressional Officials will be forthcoming in the next few days.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency in Cooperation with the Department's United States Fire Administration. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants that most closely address the programs priorities and demonstrate financial need.

The Glen Moore Fire Company would like to thank John Sly Grant Writing once again for his services in securing this grant.