HARRISBURG—Rep. Wendi Thomas (R-Bucks) and Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) today announced that the Northampton Township Fire Department will receive $1 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RCAP) to help build a new fire station.
“This funding will improve community safety by dedicating resources to help build the new fire station that will upgrade the 58-year-old building, making it compliant with the latest health and safety standards,” Thomas said.
“This new fire station is also designed to improve the health and safety of station personnel, and to make it compliant with current standards to prevent exposure to chemical, biological and environmental exposures,” Tomlinson said. “This critical funding will be instrumental in guaranteeing the safety of our community as well as our first responders.”
The funds would be used specifically to help fund the construction of a new fire station for Northampton Township Fire Department, replacing one built in 1964. The total projected budget for the project is $20 million. This would include all building design, site work, construction and outfitting the new station.
The funding, through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), supports critical expansion projects, provides job creation, employment training, and community development and revitalization.
The current station does not meet current standards for fire department safety, health and wellness, and the maintenance and care of firefighting PPE.
The new station would improve working conditions for career and volunteer staff in the station. The construction of the new station would implement the recommendations outlined in Senate Resolution 6 for fire service long-range planning.
The new station is being designed for 26 full-time firefighters and administrative staff to keep the station staffed 24/7 with firefighters and reduce response times to fire and rescue emergencies and provide the ability to conduct fire safety inspections and community outreach programs.