Today, the Keystone Valley Fire Department donated Engine 34-5 to the Girardville Rangers Hose Company of Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pa. KVFD acquired Engine 34-5 from the Martin’s Corner Fire Company in May of 2014 when they consolidated with us. During a comprehensive review of our resources, it was determined that we had no need for an additional tanker. In December, we were introduced to Chief Frank Zangari of the Girardville Rangers Hose Company. Chief Zangari works to identify surplus fire equipment, and bring that equipment to other fire companies in desperate need of better equipment in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Girardville Rangers Hose Company receives in total $3,000.00 annually from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Firefighters’ Relief Association and $1,500.00 annually from the Borough of Girardville to operate. The remaining funds necessary to operate a fire department come solely from grants and fundraising by their volunteers. Chief Zangari and the Girardville Rangers Hose Company showed immediate interest in the tanker when the possibility of donating it was proposed. This was presented to our membership and the donation was unanimously approved.

After months of obtaining donation authorizations, the Girardville Rangers Hose Company took possession of the old Engine 34-5 earlier today. The Keystone Valley Fire Department would like to thank Barry Messner for his help and assistance with the vehicle transfer. Donations like this show that the Keystone Valley Fire Department is "working globally to survive locally." We wish the officers and members of the Girardville Rangers Hose Company the best with their newly acquired vehicle.