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Local volunteer fire chiefs report training, call volumes and grant efforts as fundraisers continue
Summary
LPFC and NTFC chiefs told the Lynn Township Board of Supervisors about recent trainings, call volumes (LPFC 21 YTD, NTFC 61 YTD), and multiple grant and fundraising efforts to support equipment and a potential new truck.
Lehigh‑area volunteer fire companies updated the Lynn Township Board of Supervisors on operations and fundraising at the township’s May 14 meeting.
LPFC Fire Chief Phil Hobel reported the company had handled 21 emergency calls year to date and eight calls in April. He said one new firefighter joined the department and members attended two joint training sessions with NTFC. Fundraising plans include community breakfasts, a May 19 bake sale during elections to benefit the truck fund, and online raffles beginning in June; LPFC members planned to visit a fire expo on May 16 to review options for a new truck. Chief Hobel listed grant activity: an LSA State & Local Share Account submission for the truck fund, an EMS equipment request to St. Luke’s Outreach for $7,740 (under review), and several other applications or solicitations with amounts noted in the minutes. He also reported St. Luke’s donated five "Stop the Bleed" kits for apparatus.
NTFC Chief Nick Gruber reported 61 emergency calls year to date. He said crews recently did landing‑zone training provided by Medivac, forestry training with the forestry task force, and that members have begun or completed NIMS and hazardous‑materials awareness coursework. NTFC also held a boot drive fundraiser and had applied for a State Farm grant for up to $10,000. Chief Gruber noted a large brush fire response at the Lehigh Gap on April 12, 2026, and that new junior firefighter applications have been received.
What the minutes show: both chiefs described active training and multiple concurrent fundraising and grant efforts to support equipment and readiness. Grant applications and some fundraising results remain pending; the minutes record denials for certain small grants and pending statuses for others. No formal township funding commitment for apparatus was recorded during the meeting.
Next steps: the chiefs and volunteers will continue fundraising and tracking grant outcomes; township officials indicated no change to the budget or direct appropriation at this meeting.
