By Dave Sutor
The Tribune-Democrat
PATTON, Pa. — The Cambria County Regional Firefighters Association has received $153,000 in state funding to make upgrades to its training academy near Patton.
“The grant was written to acquire a pump to pump our water system,” said Jim McCann, the association’s training coordinator. “We’re not on a domestic water feed, so we need a pump to pump from our pond to pump our hydrant system.
“Right now, we rely on used fire apparatus that is donated to us. It oftentimes needs a lot of work. Naturally, if a fire department gets rid of it, it’s outside of its lifespan. It’s huge the fact that now we’ll be able to purchase a pump to do that, for the longevity if nothing else.
“It also was money that we requested to help with our tower building, which allows us to do hose line advancement with an interior standpipe system. We do a lot of ladder work off of that prop, as well as rope for lowering and rappelling of rescuers.”
The association consists of fire departments from seven counties.
McCann said getting the funding “is a win-win for not only the association but for all the member departments.”
State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr ., R- Richland Township, and state Rep. Dallas Kephart, R- Clearfield, helped acquire the funding through Pennsylvania’s Local Shares Account.
“The facility is essential to our firefighters and first responders,” Langerholc said.
“We appreciate the selfless sacrifices they make for our communities on a daily basis. We have both been to the facility and seen firsthand the impact it has on our area.”
Kephart added: “This funding will help our firefighters with their training, which is critical for their safety. We appreciate what these brave men and women do for our communities.
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