Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company is hoping to receive grants to help pay for an air system to refill air tanks and refurbish a brush truck.

Fire Chief Brian Stankovich told the Eldred Township supervisors at their recent meeting that the fire company has applied for a Local Share Account grant for a Cascade air system, and plans to apply for one to refurbish the brush truck.

The Cascade system includes multiple high-pressured cylinders to store air for the tanks firefighters use. Stankovich wants to have the system at the fire house. Currently, they go to Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company to use their Cascade system when the tanks need to be refilled, but it can be several days between the tanks being empty and getting them refilled.

“Having that piece of equipment back in our fire house allows us to do it on our time, immediately after our calls or training, so we get our equipment back in service,” Stankovich said.

As for the brush truck, Stankovich the engine and pumps are about 40 years old and tend to break down.

“They’re not supported by the manufacturer anymore. You can’t get parts,” he said.

Last year, the fire company applied for a 50-50 matching grant through the state but didn’t get it. Stankovich said there was $3.8 million dollar’s worth of requests and $1.2 million dollars available for all the projects.

Refurbishing the truck is less expensive than buying a new one.

“To replace that truck today the way it sits is about $1.5 million,” Stankovich said. “Obviously, we don’t have it and we don’t want to put that burden on anyone else. But it’s a good truck — low hours, low miles, doesn’t have all the computers.”

Stankovich said they plan to have it refurbished through Eastern Bulldog Fire Equipment Services in Lemoyne. The company is going to get back to them on a quote for the work. He also may look into a federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant.

“This stuff is getting more expensive but our income is not going up, and we all understand that. We’re relying on grants,” he said.

Stankovich also wanted to let the public know that the projects they are working on around the fire house do not come from the contributions they receive from Eldred Township.

“That’s all grant money that we’ve been receiving,” he said. “All the funds that we receive from the municipality goes to our sustainment costs, our equipment costs, stuff like that.”

In other business, Stankovich reported on their number of calls and announced upcoming events. The fire company can now take credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay.

• The department responded to four calls in August and 51 year-to-date.

• 250 Club is on for Oct. 17, Cramer’s Brothers Band, comes with a meal, cash prizes. Tickets are available.

• Breakfast buffets begin Nov. 1. After that they will be held the first weekend of the month in December, January, February and March.

• Requested to do training in the Smale house, since it is going to be demolished.