Fire department receives $15K donation
ROGERSVILLE – Columbia Pipeline Group representatives Wednesday presented a check for $15,000 to the Center Township Volunteer Fire Department to help start construction on a new ladder truck bay.
“The Center Township Volunteer Fire Department falls in the middle of the footprint of our Tri-County Replacement Modernization project,” said Jake Frederick, Columbia project manager. “We are always looking for ways to support the communities in the area where we live and work.”
The Center Township VFD currently houses all five of its trucks in garages at the Rogersville station, except the ladder truck, which is currently in a warehouse, said Charlie Jones, Center Township VFD fire chief.
The new garage bay will allow responders to keep the vehicle inside and extend its life by keeping it out of the elements.
“Keeping our equipment in good shape is critical,” Jones said. “This ladder truck bay will greatly increase response times for emergency events where the ladder truck is deployed,” he said.
State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, and Sharon Willison, who represented state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, at the event, talked about the importance of first responders in citizens’ ‘everyday lives.
“Columbia’s donation is a great example of a community leader doing its part to support the areas in which they operate, Snyder said.
Columbia Pipeline Group also gives back throughout the year to first responders to support their work, including donating equipment like natural gas detection monitors.