Energy Transfer gives $10,000 toward gear for McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority

A recent grant of more than $10,000 to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority helped purchase vital turnout gear for its members, thanks to a First Responder Fund by Energy Transfer.

The grant was announced with a check presentation Sept. 15 at the MFPAA board meeting held at the main station along Grubbs Road.

“We are very thankful for the generous grant from Energy Transfer, which we used toward the purchase of the personal protective equipment,” said Chris Dell, chief of the MFPAA.

The funds provided for two new sets of personal protective equipment, also referred to as turnout gear, for members. This includes coats, pants, gloves, helmets, boots and ballistic vests.

The cost per each set of gear is $5,000, according to Michael Wholihan of the MFPAA.

Energy Transfer is an energy logistics business with about 3,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure and gathering systems located in Pennsylvania and throughout the country and internationally.

The First Responder Fund provides grants to help further the primary mission of first responder organizations, including local fire departments; emergency medical services; county emergency management agencies; county, regional and local police departments; and other eligible agencies, according to a Sept. 16 news release from the MFPAA and Energy Transfer.

The grants are determined based on a competitive application and review process, and written applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the following cycle.

Chris Koop, manager of public affairs for First Energy, presented the check and said they were happy to help organizations like the MFPAA obtain the necessary equipment to support their communities.

“We are thrilled at Energy Transfer to see this grant money put to good use, and it is our honor to support first responder organizations like the MFPAA,” Koop said. “The things they need to do their jobs safely are getting more and more expensive. Thank you for the service you provide.”