Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light said Thursday, Aug. 18, that the grant award could bring an end to the regular "browning-out" (temporary closure) of the department's airport-area Station 73.

The fire department applied for the grant earlier this year, and has been awaiting word on the application for the past several months.

The next step is review by the Prescott City Council. McConnell's briefing memo stated that grant acceptance, as well as implementation information, is tentatively scheduled to be on the council's Sept. 13 meeting agenda.

Mayor Harry Oberg said Friday, Aug. 19, that he believes the grant would get council approval. "I don't think there will be any question; I think we'll accept it," he said.

Meanwhile, Light expressed optimism that the grant could help the fire department get through a tough budget situation. Although the SAFER grant would cover the firefighter positions for just two years, he said, "It would allow everyone to take a deep breath."

Noting that a number of variables could come into play over the next two years that could bring a longer-term solution, Light said, "(The grant) would allow us to reset the stage."

If accepted by the council, the grant likely would allow the city to have 57 firefighting personnel, Light said, which would equate to 19 people on three shifts. That, in turn, would allow for "17 persons on duty 24/7, 365," he added.

"We've outgrown the old building," said Liberty Township Fire Chief Brandon Hughes. "They have been planning and saving money for the last 10 years to make this happen."

The fire department's current station at 202 E. Liberty Road has seven bays, but newer, larger equipment acquired over the years doesn't fit there, Hughes said.

The money needed to build the new station was collected through sporadic donations from the community and local business and the township setting aside funds for the last 10 years, Hughes said.

Construction of the new station started immediately following the ground breaking as crews began to dig out a well that will be able to pump out 650 gallons per minute.

Being a primarily rural township, many times the fire department has to plan on bringing its own water to the scene of a fire to put it out, Hughes said.

It will be going to the FDNY's Family Assistance Unit, Fire Chief John McLoughlin said.

"It was well past its life expectancy," the chief said. "It hasn’t been a first line piece of apparatus for years."

The Family Assistance Unit works to assist FDNY families when there is a death, accident or serious illness in the family, according to its website. The Mack Pumper will be used for funeral processions and whenever city firefighters need it, McLoughlin said.

Tony Ashman, company president, opened the ceremonies saying the new vehicle was the result of hard work of company members, lovingly called "The Dutchies."

Ashman said that although a large portion of the cost of the new tanker pumper was made possible through an Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Department of Homeland Security, the company has taken the responsibility of the remaining expense.

Also speaking were U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman.

Commenting on the gold and black colors of the new vehicle, Cartwright said, "It's a happy day in Mahanoy City ... it's a happy day for everyone who's a Golden Bear."

The vehicle color scheme was selected in the colors of the Mahanoy Area School District's Golden Bears -- black and gold.

He also commended the volunteer firefighters, not only from the Good American Hose Company but volunteers across the country.