Federal money for Middletown, Morrisville
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st dist.) announced Middletown Township and Morrisville Borough have received FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel from fire and other related hazards.
Middletown Township received a total of $91,818.18 and Morrisville Borough received a total of $46,818.18. These grants will be used for Operation and Safety through the AFG program. The purpose of the AFG program is to award grants directly to fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations and State Fire Training Academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well as that of first-responder personnel. Using a competitive process that is informed by fire service subject-matter experts, grants are awarded to eligible applicants whose applications best address the priorities of the AFG program. Since fiscal year FY 2001, the AFG program has awarded about $7.7 billion in grants to provide critically needed resources. The total amount appropriated for the FY 2021 AFG program initiative is $460 million.
“I am proud to be an advocate for two municipalities that will benefit from the AFG grant. Over the last 50 years our commonwealth has seen a steep decline in volunteer levels across the spectrum, which also directly impacted the budgets of our local fire departments,” Fitzpatrick said. “This grant is critical in supporting our local fire departments and ensuring our men and women have the tools they need to respond to emergencies.”
FEMA is on round 15 of the competitive FY 2021 AFG announcements and will continue to announce AFG grants on a weekly basis. This program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. ••
Recorder of Deeds improving digital images
Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Dan McPhillips is continuing the project to preserve and improve records dating to 1684. McPhillips received word at the beginning of the year that the office is the recipient of a $5,000 grant to assist with the improvement phase of the project. The project is supported by money from the state-funded Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Historical Archives and Records Care Grant.
The grant will be used to improve the digital images of pages found in 15 of the office’s historic deed books. When these books were originally scanned in the 1990s, the technology was not as advanced as it is today. Because of this, the quality of current images online is very poor, sometimes unreadable. Kofile, the preservation company the office has been using for the project, has taken on the responsibility of not only preserving the books, but providing clear digital images of each page within the books.
McPhillips says, “Being the recipient of any grant is an honor, but to receive this grant shows the importance of this project to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As the Recorder of Deeds, it is my job to make sure the records of the county are available to the public. This grant helps make the process of improving the records faster, and in turn, better for the people of Bucks County.”
Once Kofile has completed the digital improvements, the files will be sent to the office’s recording vendor, Landex. From there, both online and in-office digital records will be updated.
For more information, call 215-348-6209 or visit buckscounty.gov/414/Recorder-of-Deeds. ••
Fitzpatrick named to Intelligence Committee
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has been appointed to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and will chair the National Intelligence subcommittee for Intelligence in the 118th Congress.
“I’m honored to return to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m excited to continue utilizing my experience as a former FBI agent to further protect our national security and ensure the integrity of our intelligence agencies as a member of the committee.”
“As our country faces threats from our adversaries, it is imperative the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is equipped with members who understand the ever-evolving threat landscape. During his tenure on the committee, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has put forth substantial solutions in how we can improve the intelligence community and bolster our national security,” said Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the Intelligence Committee. “Fitzpatrick has proven to be a leader within the committee and in the national security field and I look forward to working with him in the 118th Congress.” ••
Push for aviation safety measure
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, along with Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Chris Smith, André Carson, Tom Kean Jr. and Stephen F. Lynch introduced the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act (H.R. 911).
The legislation would mandate the installation of secondary cockpit barriers in commercial passenger aircrafts to protect American citizens from potential terrorist attacks similar to 9/11. Under the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act, airlines would be required to install wire-mesh gates — that are inexpensive and lightweight – on all aircrafts between the passenger cabin and cockpit door, blocking access to the flight deck while in the air.
This legislation is named in memory of Capt. Victor J. Saracini, a Lower Makefield resident who was killed after his plane was hijacked and deliberately flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Saracini’s widow, Ellen, has become a national advocate for aviation safety.
“Over two decades have passed since radical terrorists hijacked my husband’s airplane on our own soil, and our nation’s aircrafts are still not equipped to adequately respond to the exact same attack that happened on September 11th,” Saracini said. “I am committed to ensuring that secondary cockpit barriers are included on all commercial aircraft, and I’m grateful to this group of bipartisan lawmakers for introducing this legislation. We must secure our skies and protect passengers, flight crews and potential targets from the threat of any future breach.”
The legislation is endorsed by the Air Line Pilots Association, and Sen. Bob Casey Jr. is leading the Senate companion to be introduced at a later date.
“Securing the safety of our nation’s aviation is critical to keeping our nation safe. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Congress has made great progress on aircraft safety, and this bipartisan legislation is essential to ensure passenger safety in the air and that passengers and pilots are protected against terrorist hijackers,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m grateful to stand with my constituent, Ellen Saracini, to honor her late husband, and I appreciate the support of my colleagues. Together, we must do everything in our power to ensure that the horrific events of 9/11 are never able to happen again.”
“ALPA has long supported the use of secondary barriers to preserve the integrity of the flightdeck and keep crews and passengers safe,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “We are grateful to Reps. Fitzpatrick, Carson, Smith, Gottheimer, Kean and Lynch for their leadership and for honoring Capt. Saracini’s memory by ensuring that these cost-effective security devices are installed on all passenger aircraft.” ••
Strengthening the NATO alliance
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced his appointment to the United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Independent from NATO, the group was first established in 1955 and assembles legislators from NATO-member countries to work together on global security issues while strengthening the NATO alliance.
Fitzpatrick released the following statement:
“The NATO alliance is critical to the national and economic security of the United States, our Western coalition and the entire free world. I’m thankful for this opportunity to represent our nation in the shared pursuit of global stability and peace. I look forward to working with legislators from our partner nations toward ensuring NATO’s continued support for Ukraine, welcoming Sweden and Finland into the alliance, and promoting essential democratic principles throughout the world.” ••
Commissioners meeting March 1
The Bucks County Commissioners will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, March 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meeting will be broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
Future meetings will be on March 15, April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Sept. 6, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. ••
