By AMY ZUBEK
 |
AMY ZUBEK/TIMES NEWS Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski, center, congratulates Shawn Hoben, Summit Hill fire chief, on the Diligence Fire Company No. 1's dedication to the residents of the community. Kanjorski presented the Summit Hill fire company with a check for $280,250 to help cover the costs of purchasing a new fire engine. Standing with Kanjorski and Hoben are Commissioner William O'Gurek, right, and members of the fire company, holding the check. |
It felt like Christmas in August for Summit Hill Diligence Fire Company No. 1.
On Thursday afternoon, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski, 11th District, presented the fire company with a check for $280,250 to use toward the purchase of a new firetruck. The current truck, which is from 1981, is outdated by safety standards.
"It's great that we could help volunteer fire companies like the one in Summit Hill," Kanjorski said. "A lot of people don't realize that these men are volunteers who don't get paid for what they do. They are our neighbors, our friends."
The funds presented to the company are from a fire grant that Summit Hill applied for earlier this year.
Fire Chief Shawn Hoben explained that fire departments can apply for the FEMA grant if they have a project that needs to be completed. It has been five years since Diligence received this grant. The grant is a matching grant, which means that the fire company will have to pay 5 percent. That money will come from the fund drive that is continually going.
"This benefits everyone in the community," Hoben said. "These grants save taxpayers money and helps us.
"This is a great help to small communities like us."
Hoben and his men then thanked Kanjorski for his support over the years.
"We wouldn't be able to do this without the grant," Hoben said.
Commissioner William O'Gurek, who is also a resident of Summit Hill, was also in attendance.
"When you bring in federal legislators to your hometown and bring monies to Summit Hill, it tells about the commitment Congressman Kanjorski has to the 11th district and the communities," O'Gurek said. "It also shows a commitment to these firefighters."
Diligence Fire Company is a volunteer department comprised of many dedicated individuals. They serve not only the residents of Summit Hill, but also act as a backup source for the boroughs of Lansford, Nesquehoning and Coaldale.
In recent months, plans have been approved to construct a new firehouse in the borough. It will be erected after the new borough building and police station are built and the former St. Joseph's School, which is situated next to the firehouse, is emptied.
The borough received a $1.25 million grant from state Rep. Keith McCall for that project.