State Sen. Dave Argall and state Rep. Mike Carroll today announced that the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded $95,321 in local share assistance funding.

The fire company will use the funding to purchase and install a new generator and narrow band emergency radio equipment. The new radio equipment will allow the fire company to comply with new FCC mandates related to narrow-band communications expected to be implemented in the near future. In addition the new generator will be an important tool to prepare the fire company, which is designated as a Red Cross emergency shelter, to better meet the needs of the community in times of emergency.The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority submitted the funding application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) on behalf of the fire company."It's important for the state to take action to improve public safety in our communities," Argall said. "I'm very pleased Rep. Carroll and I were able to help secure this funding through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.""The Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company serves as the heart of the community and these funds will ensure that the company will be able to meet the needs of its citizens during emergency situations," Carroll said."The Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company is very excited and grateful to be awarded this grant," said Dan Bartholomew, president of the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company. "This grant will be used to provide two vitally important assets to better serve the community. Specifically, the grant will allow us to immediately replace an antiquated and unreliable generator that is be used to provide electricity to our facility in the event of a power outage."