$1.15 million in ARPA money given to seven fire companies in Union County

Dec. 19—LEWISBURG — Faced with a "catastrophic" issue last year, William Cameron Engine Company used its COVID-19 relief money from Union County to replace one of its four ambulances.

William Cameron Fire Company, located at 11 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, was one of seven fire companies in Union County to receive American Rescue Plan Act funds last year. The commissioners approved a $1.15 million fire company bundle last year.

"Ambulances are the most used piece of apparatus in the fleet," said William Cameron Chief James Blount III. "We respond to thousands of calls a year, so they're all on routine maintenance schedules. They rack up significant mileage by going to Evangelical Community Hospital, Geisinger (in Danville), UPMC in Williamsport and UPMC and Geisinger in Muncy."

Since October 2022, the county has awarded 26 local municipalities, organizations and projects a portion of $8,008,236 in ARPA funds from Union County. Union County received $9 million of the $6.15 billion federal funds allocated to Pennsylvania. The county has approximately $905,000 that has not been allocated, according to county officials.

As part of the $1.15 million fire company bundle, Mifflinburg Hose Company, William Cameron Engine Company and White Deer Volunteer Fire Company were given $250,000 each toward equipment and vehicles while West End Fire Company, Union Township Fire Company, New Berlin Fire Company and Warrior Run Area Fire Company were each given $100,000 donations. Mifflinburg used its money to replace personal protective equipment and respiratory protection equipment; William Cameron used its money to replace one ambulance; and White Deer used its money to replace a rescue vehicle, according to the county.

Blount said the new 2023 Osage Ambulance replaced a 2017 Ford Ambulance with catastrophic air conditioning issues. Emergency responders are mandated to have functional heat and air conditioning units, he said.

"We are greatly appreciative of the county for awarding the funds," he said. "The ambulances are critical to the services we provide. The funding came right on time to replace the unit having mechanical issues."

Without the ARPA money, Blount said the fire company would have to find other grant opportunities, seek municipal contributions, or start a capital project fundraiser.

The fleet of ambulances consists of the new Osage, a 2017 Ford, a 2013 Dodge and a 2016 Ford. Each vehicle is equipped with both basic and advanced life support systems.

William Cameron worked with Battlefield Ambulance Sales, of Gettysburg, to custom design the unit. Osage, using a Ford Chassis cab, built the vehicle, said Blount.

The vehicle went into service in the spring, said Blount.

Steve Walter, the fire chief of Mifflinburg Hose Company, said the ARPA money was spent on 24 sets of gear. They arrived in the first quarter of 2023.

"The gear was for firefighters head to toe, boots to helmet," said Walter. "Gloves, bunker pants, turnout coats, and 24 self-contained breathing apparatus devices."

Walter called it a "huge blessing."

"It gives us some breathing room as far as buying equipment for seven to 10 years," he said. "It allows us some more flexibility."

West End Fire Company Chief Richard Wright said they used $50,000 of the $100,000 toward the loan for the new tanker they purchased in 2019. The remaining money was used for bills and equipment payments.

"We are mostly supported by the social club, but ever since COVID, bills have been stacking up," said Wright. "We really appreciate the county supporting us. It helped out a lot."

Warrior Run Fire Company Chief Doug Funk said they used their $100,000 to pay off a loan taken out to replace 28 self-contained breathing apparatus units in 2021. The total project was $197,450.

"We are extremely grateful," said Funk. "It was a huge help to us to get that loan paid off. We would be making annual payments, which would cut into our annual equipment fund."