SAXTONS RIVER — An additional 500 feet of new fire hose will replace aging hose in the Saxtons River Volunteer Fire Department's supply, thanks to a grant from TransCanada.
According to a news release, TransCanada's U.S. East Community Relations Officer Matthew Cole presented a $5,000 check to Fire Department Chief Arthur Smith Jr. at the village's fire station as part of the fire company's project to replace 6,000 feet of its worn hose.
Village volunteers also have raised about $5,000 toward the project by making and selling wristbands, key fobs, and other items out of hose that is no longer usable.
“We are concerned that deteriorating fire hose may not only make it difficult to fight fires,” Village Trustee chair Louise Luring said in a news release, “but it may put firefighters in danger of bursting hose or kickback.”
TransCanada said its grant reflects the company's goal of supporting and developing tools and resources to safeguard communities so they can thrive.