RESCUE/PUMPER DISPLAYED AT 2008 FIRE EXPO
May 16-18, 2008

The department's new rescue/pumper spent several days on display at the 2008 Fire Expo which was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. 4-Guys Fire Apparatus requested that the rescue/pumper be a part of their exhibit at the expo which features numerous apparatus, equipment, and novelty vendors. Many good comments were heard about our rescue/pumper, in particular the chevron safety striping, the "unorthodox" location of the attack lines, and the abundance of equipment carried on the apparatus.

NEW RADIO SYSTEM GOES ONLINE
April 29, 2008

Cambria County's new UHF radio system went online this evening. The new radio system features simulcast fire and emergency medical dispatch frequencies, improved radio coverage throughout the county, and the ability to talk between fire/rescue, medical, and police agencies without having to switch radios (interoperability). This system has been in the works for quite awhile and we look forward to using the system and all its benefits.

NEW RESCUE/PUMPER PLACED IN SERVICE
January 16, 2008

The Franklin Borough Fire Department has placed its new rescue/pumper in service, designated as Engine 5-1. The new rescue/pumper features numerous safety features, including a fully-enclosed cab, reflective striping on the front and rear of the apparatus, a ladder rack that lowers the ladders closer to the ground, and fire attack hose that is also closer to the ground which prevents firefighters from having to climb the apparatus to deploy hose lines. Engine 5-1 was ordered on December 13^th, 2006 and since being delivered in late November 2007, firefighters have been busy getting equipment mounted and becoming familiar with the operation of the new rescue/pumper.

DEPARTMENT RECEIVES STATE GRANT
January 2008

The Franklin Borough Fire Department has received news that it was awarded a state grant of approximately $22,000 through the combined 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Volunteer Fire Company & Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program (VFCVASG). The grant funds will be used for debt reduction on loans for the department's new radios and new rescue/pumper truck.

The radios were purchased due to a new countywide public safety radio communications system that is currently under construction. The new UHF radio system will allow for a much needed improvement in radio communications while also providing for data transmission, radio interoperability between the county's fire/rescue, ambulance, and police agencies, and more.

ANNUAL FUND DRIVE IN PROGRESS
October 17, 2007

FORMER ENGINE NOW SERVING ARGENTINA
September 2007

The former Engine 5-2 (a 1982 Pemfab/3-D pumper/rescue) left Franklin in mid-September on its way to its new home. The rescue/pumper was sold via a dealer and will now be serving a fire department in the South American nation of Argentina. Below are some pictures of the former Engine 5-2 being loaded onto a flatbed truck and leaving on its long trip to its new home.

DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT TO PURCHASE GEAR WASHER
July 27, 2007

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded an $8,550 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Franklin Borough Fire Department. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) will assist with the purchase of a gear washer/extractor to clean firefighters' personal protective clothing that was purchased in 2003 through the aid of a federal grant.

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $490 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country.

AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has been instrumental in building capacity and providing needed resources for our nation’s firefighters,” said FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison. “From the purchase of equipment to first responder training, the AFG program has helped improve response capabilities and saved lives and property in communities throughout the United States.”

Since 2004, AFG has provided almost $3.1 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fire prevention activities. AFG is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration