Newtown Township Reapplies For Federal Grant To Fund New Firefighters

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Newtown Township will again be applying for funding from the federal government to bolster its career firefighting force.

Only this time it will be touting its investments in the program over the past two years as it makes its case to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the funding.

“I for one would like to see us try,” said chairman Dennis Fisher of reapplying for the grant. “We don’t have anything to lose. We only have something to gain if we get it.”

At its Feb. 22 meeting, the board of supervisors voted unanimously to direct fire chief Glenn Forsyth to resubmit its SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant application for consideration.

If successful, the grant, totaling over $1 million, would fund the salaries and benefits of four additional full-time career firefighters for three years.

Since its last application, Fisher said changes have been made by the township for the good that further demonstrates the township's long term commitment to building a career fire service.

“It shows we are serious about this,” said Fisher.

“We have dedicated capital to purchasing fire trucks and other equipment,” Fisher said. “We hired a deputy assistant fire chief. We have a new agreement with Newtown Borough to help pay for emergency services. We also increased our commitment to recruiting and retaining firefighters.”

In addition, the supervisors in December approved a 2023 budget that dedicated a mill of new taxes - about $325,000 - toward fire protection in the township.

Supervisor John Mack asked Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth whether he felt that would be enough to demonstrate to FEMA the township's commitment to maintaining the additional career firefighters once the grant runs its course.

"With the additional millage - that's an additional $325,000 - and the additional money from the borough - that's $156,000 - that's almost a half a million dollar increase," said Forsyth. "For a $50 application fee, I think we should try it and see what the outcome is."

This is the fourth time the township is resubmitting an application for the grant, which provides funding to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to increase the number of career firefighters on the streets.

“This would enable us to have a quicker response, having firefighters in the building seven days a week,” said Chief Forsyth during the last grant application round. “It would also enable us to cover for vacations so we would not be short staffed.”

This year’s SAFER grant would require no match from the township and would fully fund the new hires for the next three years.

The deadline for grant applications is March 17 with grant awards announced between June 2 and September 30.