Fire company funding
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced that he has secured $251,653.33 for Richlandtown Fire Company through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
With the FY23 funding, Richlandtown Fire Co. will be afforded the opportunity to replace its aging and outdated portable radios with 28 state-of-the-art, universal band models. These new radios are crucial for ensuring firefighters can seamlessly communicate across multiple frequencies, enabling effective coordination with mutual-aid fire companies in Lehigh and Northampton counties. The upgrade is vital to the mission of serving and protecting the community with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
“We are extremely grateful to be awarded the FEMA AFG grant allowing us to purchase new portable radios. As a result, our firefighters will have an essential lifeline that will connect them to outside operations fulfilling the fire company’s mission to protect life, property and safely participate in a unified command structure,” said JR Slifer, president of Richlandtown Fire Company. ••
Learn about wills and estates
Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin and members of her staff will give a presentation about wills, estate planning and inheritance tax on Sept. 10, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Lower Makefield Senior Center.
Attendees can expect to learn the basics of what makes a will valid, along with an overview of probate and inheritance tax. They will also be sharing interesting anecdotes, including unusual wills received in the office.
The Bucks County Register of Wills is responsible for appointing the personal representative of a decedent’s estate and is the agent for the state to collect inheritance tax. The office’s primary goal is to serve the public, especially when they may be grieving the loss of a loved one.
For more information, email Rachel Landsberg at ralandsberg@buckscounty.org. ••
Fitzpatrick attends intelligence meetings abroad
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, chairman of the National Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, recently led a weeklong series of intelligence meetings in Liberia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Germany.
The mission was to conduct official oversight and gain a deeper understanding of the regional dynamics and stability impacts related to U.S. missions in Africa, focusing on power competition, foreign mineral exploitation, human rights violations, governance and historical and religious considerations.
During the trip, Fitzpatrick met with government and security officials. He also met with Tigran Gambaryan, a United States citizen detained in a Nigerian prison, as well as with Congolese officials to advocate for the release of another American. Acting as a surrogate in negotiations, Fitzpatrick saw through the successful release of the detained U.S. citizen from DRC custody on July 19, and he has since been reunited with his family in America.
In a statement, Fitzpatrick said, “From July 12 through July 19, I traveled through Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a fact-finding mission to assess national security and intelligence-related matters and solidify essential relationships with our key counterparts and strategic partners abroad.
“I met with government officials, military leaders, security officials and Tigran Gambaryan, a United States citizen who is being detained in a Nigerian prison. I requested our embassy work swiftly to secure his immediate release. I also met with officials in the DRC to advocate for the release of another detained American. Today, I am proud to share we have brought that young American home and extend my thanks to the Congolese officials for their cooperation and collaboration in ensuring this safe release.
“While we celebrate this victory, our work is far from over. There are still Americans, like Tigran, enduring unimaginable trauma in detention around the world, and we will not rest until they are home. The United States stands as a beacon of democracy and freedom, and it is incumbent upon all elected officials to uphold our obligation to promote democracy through strength and peace and ensure the safety of our nation and citizens. I am determined to continue this mission by fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations with our international allies that safeguard our national and global security. I will continue to work diligently through appropriate channels to address the cases of Americans detained abroad, including Mr. Gambaryan’s situation in Nigeria.” ••
Farry office hours in Bensalem
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) is offering satellite office hours the first Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Farry’s staff will be on site to assist with state government services; Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, birth and death certificate applications, SEPTA Senior Key card registrations and renewals; and unemployment issues. ••
Money for Bucks fire companies
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has secured $613,363.63 for Edgely Fire Company, $302,347.27 for Quakertown Fire Department and $48,393.33 for Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company through the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.
Edgely Fire Company is now equipped to purchase 173 sets of cutting-edge structural firefighting gear, fully outfitting its firefighters and those of its regional partners across four municipalities — Bristol Township, Bristol Borough, Falls Township and Morrisville Borough.
The Quakertown Fire Department will be able to replace its aging essential equipment, including hoses, nozzles and appliances — vital tools not only for extinguishing fires but for safeguarding firefighters and rescuing occupants from burning buildings.
Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company will acquire state-of-the-art gas monitors and thermal imaging cameras, tools for navigating treacherous, toxic environments and ensuring that its firefighters remain protected.
“We are incredibly thankful for the $631,000 grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which will provide much-needed new structural gear for our dedicated volunteer firefighters. This grant, awarded to multiple fire departments from several municipalities, not only ensures the safety of our teams but also opens up funding for other important projects. We extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Fitzpatrick for his unwavering support in securing this vital funding and continued support to the local fire departments,” said Brian Cirard, Chief of Edgely Fire Company. ••
Lower South supervisor meeting schedule
The Lower Southampton Township Board of Supervisors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville. The next meeting is Aug. 28. ••
Bensalem Council meeting schedule
Bensalem Township Council meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Meetings can be viewed live on Comcast Xfinity Channel 22 in Bensalem and on Verizon Fios Channel 34 throughout Bucks County. They can also be streamed live on the Bensalem Township YouTube channel.
The schedule is Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 15 (Tuesday), Oct. 28, Nov. 12 (Tuesday), Nov. 25, Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and Dec. 16. ••
Bensalem school board meeting schedule
The Bensalem Township Board of School Directors holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center, 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem.
The next meeting will take place on Sept. 24.
The public is invited to attend.
Future meetings are on Oct. 22, Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
Commissioners meeting
The Bucks County Commissioners meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meetings are broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
The next meeting will be Sept. 4. ••
