PHOENIXVILLE — The Phoenixville Fire Department has been awarded $974,561 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program.
Phoenixville is one of just six fire departments in Pennsylvania to receive a SAFER grant in this award cycle.
The grant will provide critical funding to strengthen the Phoenixville Fire Department’s staffing levels and ensure the department has the personnel needed to respond effectively to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, and other emergency incidents throughout the community.
The SAFER Grant Program is designed to provide funding to fire departments for firefighter staffing, operational needs, and recruitment and retention efforts. For Phoenixville, the award will support the hiring of five full-time firefighters. The grant funding will be supplemented by a financial match from the borough, representing a significant investment in the department’s personnel and the safety of the community.
“Maintaining adequate staffing is essential to ensuring that our firefighters can respond quickly and safely when our residents need them most,” said Borough Council President Jonathan M. Ewald. “This grant represents a tremendous investment in the Phoenixville Fire Department and will strengthen our ability to protect our residents, businesses and visitors.”
The addition of five full-time firefighters will help provide greater staffing capacity for emergency response while supporting the department’s ability to maintain appropriate personnel levels during training, leave and other staffing needs. The funding also supports the department’s long-term efforts to recruit and retain qualified firefighters.
“This award is an important step forward for the Phoenixville Fire Department and the entire community,” said Phoenixville Fire Chief Eamon Brazunas. “Having the right number of firefighters available to respond is critical to the safety of our personnel and the people we serve. We are grateful to FEMA and to the Borough for making this investment possible.”
The $974,561 SAFER Grant, combined with the borough’s required match, will provide funding for the five positions for three years.
The Borough of Phoenixville also extends its appreciation to Pennsylvania Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-6th Dist.) for her support and advocacy on behalf of the Phoenixville Fire Department and the community. Her support helped highlight the importance of ensuring that local fire departments have the resources and staffing necessary to meet the needs of the communities they serve, according to a press release issued by the borough.
The timing of the SAFER Grant award coincides with October being National Fire Prevention Month. Phoenixville Borough Council members marked the occasion with a proclamation at the monthly meeting held on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The Phoenixville Borough Council and administration expressed their appreciation to the Phoenixville Fire Department for its work in securing the highly competitive federal grant and for its continued commitment to serving the community.