NEW HOPE EAGLE VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DONATION

Our local volunteers are use to responding to 911 calls for help from local citizens, but on August 14th, they answered the call for help from much further away.

During the past year the fire company has been able to raise the money to replace its older breathing apparatus with new units. They also have been able to replace, over the last few years, their older hose, turnout gear, and a thermal imaging camera. Instead of letting this old equipment gather dust, the board of directors wanted to see if any other fire companies were in need.

One of the board members, Keith McMillen, went to an online firefighters website and started search. It took very little time for Chief Blake Bowers from Lanton, Missouri to call Keith, and describe his local areas need for help.

Lanton Volunteers Fire Company is one of a few departments that cover a huge area near the Arkansas border. The Lanton Department covers about 190 square miles from 2 stations. They have 22 members and an annual budget of only $6500. This is not even enough to pay for insurance and fuel. Many of their neighboring departments are in the same situation and therefore they use equipment that most fire companies in Bucks County would never think of keeping in service. They do have one new engine, but their 2nd engine is over 30 years old, and they also use a converted military truck as a water tanker. Where most fire departments in Bucks County have at least 2 thermal imaging camera, which can save the lives of fire victims as well as fire fighters, the Lanton Department has to call for one of the 2 cameras that exist in their entire county, and it is at least 20 miles away.

On August 14, 2008 New Hope Chief Craig Forbes, Directors Frank Cosner Sr., Keith McMillen, of the Eagle Fire Company and many other members greeted the volunteers from Lanton at the Eagle Firehouse on Sugan Road near Rt 202. It took Chief Bowers over 20 hours to make the drive, but he did not mind at all. The Lanton Volunteers who made the trip were treated to breakfast at Fred's in New Hope, and then with full stomachs, helped the New Hope volunteers load their U-Haul trailer with much needed gear. When asked what the donation would be used for, Chief Bowers has a simple but heart warming answer, " To save lives of our citizens and fire fighters.