State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and state Rep. Tina Davis, both Democrats announced the Third District Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded a $541,835 grant for facility improvements to the fire station.
The funds are earmarked towards the first of several planned major improvements to the fire station which was built in 1964, fire company officials said.
The enhancements on tap call for two parking lots to be repaved, the construction of a pole barn for additional storage, new engine room floors, five new overhead garage doors and the painting of the firehouse are the upgrades planned, Third District Fire Company President Herb Schoell Jr. said.
I will always support our local firefighters — and I’d like to thank Sen. Steve Santarsiero for helping me to secure this grant,” Davis said on her socials Thursday.
Schoell Jr. said, additional renovations will be made when finances allow, such as new bunk rooms with bathrooms and showers for overnight duty crews, allowing them to respond more quickly to emergencies.; a new firefighter gear storage room; new offices for operational and administrative staff and the conversion of a hall into a dedicated training room.
“When completed, the station will be brought up to current National Fire Protection Association standards.”
Third District also recently took delivery of a new Seagrave engine which will replace a 2007 Seagrave that the fire company is now selling. The new fire apparatus is expected to go into service in a few months, fire officials said.
The purchase of the new engine and fire station renovations are part of a multi-year modernization project, fire company officials said.
“These strategic and significant investments represent a continued commitment by Third District to providing reliable, modern and top-rate fire protection services to the residents and businesses in the Bristol Township community.”
“Third District would like to thank State Representative Tina Davis, State Senator Steve Santarsiero, the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority with whom we partnered with for this grant and Bristol Township Council for their continued support,” said fire company officials.
Third District’s Tower 14 reaching for skies at a recent apt complex fire
Credit: Jeff Bohen, Lower Bucks Source