Pennsylvania American Water Awards $125K to Local Fire Departments

Pennsylvania American Water announced today that it awarded $125,000 in grants to 143 fire and rescue organizations serving communities in 29 Pennsylvania counties through its 2024 annual Firefighting Support Grant Program.

Since launching the grant program in 2009, Pennsylvania American Water has contributed more than $885,000 to help hundreds of local fire departments purchase emergency gear, life-saving equipment, training materials and essential firefighting apparatus. View a list of all 2024 grant recipients by county here.

“Water systems and fire departments work collaboratively to deliver community fire protection, and we are proud to support the dedicated men and women who serve our local fire departments,” said Pennsylvania American Water Vice President of Operations Jim Runzer. “For more than 15 years, we’ve offered this grant program as a token of our partnership and our thanks.”

Pennsylvania American Water’s Firefighting Support Grants provide financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving communities in the company’s designated service areas. Grants can be used to purchase personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, water handling equipment, training and related activities/materials used to support community fire protection.

“Over the years, we have applied and been fortunate enough to be awarded grants from Pennsylvania America Water,” said Frank Guido, fire chief for the Kingston Forty Fort Fire Department, one of this year’s grant recipients. “These grants have been an immense help to our department, helping us purchase new nozzles for our engine to adapters for our new tower. If not for these grants this money for these important firefighting tools would have had to come from our municipal budget.”

"We deeply appreciate Pennsylvania American Water's Firefighting Support Grant Program. This support is crucial for improving our equipment and training, enabling us to better protect our community. Their dedication to public safety is commendable, and we are proud to partner with them,” said Neshannock Township Deputy Fire Chief Steve Demofonte, another 2024 grant recipient.

Additionally, four Pennsylvania fire departments recently received funding from the American Water Charitable Foundation’s 2024 State Strategic Grant Program. Butler Township Volunteer Fire Department in Butler County, Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company in Butler County, Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department in Berks County and North Strabane Township Fire Department in Washington County were granted $5,000, $5,000, $10,000 and $10,000, respectively.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people.

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