“The issue of volunteer retention and recruitment has plagued our fire companies for decades. In 1970, there was about 300,000 volunteers statewide; that current number sits at 40,000,” said Fitzpatrick. “In order to save our local fire departments and ensure our communities have the necessary first responders, we must focus on increasing the volunteer force. I am pleased to announce another fire company in Bucks County has received the SAFER grant, and I will continue to advocate for the other local departments who have applied.”

The Union Fire Company, Station 37 was awarded $100,000 through the 2019 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The mission of the SAFER grant program is to enhance the ability of recipients to attain and maintain 24-hour fire department staffing and to better assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. This year, FEMA will be awarding $350 million fire departments across America to assist fire departments and volunteer support groups to expand the number of firefighters available to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public.

Earlier this month, Fitzpatrick announced that the Bristol Third District Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and the Chalfont Fire Company No. 1 have received grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with recruitment, retention, and purchasing of the necessary tools to respond to emergency calls.