Lower Bucks Today

LANGHORNE, PA – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) announced today that he has secured $251,653.33 for Richlandtown Fire Company through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

Congressman Fitzpatrick also recently secured over $130,000 for the Bensalem Township Fire Rescue Department, over $160,000 for the Sellersville Fire Department, over $90,000 for the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad, and over $43,000 for the Point Pleasant-Plumsteadville EMS through federal funding. With this latest grant, Rep. Fitzpatrick has now delivered over $674,000 in crucial FY23 funding to local fire departments, EMS, and rescue squads.

Since 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $8.4 billion in grant funding to provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

With the FY23 funding, Richlandtown Fire Co. will be able to replace their aging portable radios with 28 state-of-the-art universal band models. These new radios are essential for ensuring their firefighters can communicate across multiple frequencies effectively with mutual-aid fire companies in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. This upgrade is vital to their mission of serving and protecting the community with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

“We are extremely grateful to be awarded the FEMA AFG grant allowing us to purchase new portable radios. As a result, our firefighters will have an essential lifeline that will connect them to outside operations fulfilling the fire company’s mission to protect life, property and safely participate in a unified command structure,” said JR Slifer, President of Richlandtown Fire Company.

“Over the past century," said Congressman Fitzpatrick "the all-volunteer Richlandtown Fire Company has epitomized selfless service tirelessly protecting our community across multiple municipalities. As Co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus," he continued "it is one of my top priorities to ensure these brave men and women have the cutting-edge tools they need to swiftly safely and successfully protect our community. I am grateful for the continued service of Richlandtown Fire Co., and will continue fighting to secure support for them and all our local hero firefighters and first responders.”

Since 1905, the all-volunteer Richlandtown Fire Company has served and safeguarded Richland Borough Haycock Township Richland Township and Springfield Township.