Glassport fire department wins FEMA grant; staffing study recommends stipend program; senior-center classes begin

The Glassport Fire Department reported several operational updates at the Jan. 21 council meeting, including a FEMA grant award for a new fitness center and a state staffing study that recommended a stipend program to help staff the station.

Councilman Paul Trunzo said the department responded to 44 calls in December and 596 calls for the year and logged 1,258 man-hours of training. "The department was able to obtain a FEMA grant for a new fitness center which will be completed within the first half of 2025," Trunzo reported. He added the staffing study conducted by the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute recommended enacting a stipend program; the department is pursuing funding options to implement that recommendation.

Senior Center programs: Trunzo also reported that computer classes for seniors began Jan. 13, run Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon for ten weeks, with 25 participants enrolled. Interior work at the center has been delayed because the contractor’s workers were ill and responded to an emergency job; free tax-preparation services will return this year with dates to follow.

What happens next: The fire department will seek funding sources to implement the stipend recommendation; the FEMA-funded fitness center is expected in the first half of 2025. The senior center will continue its scheduled classes and publish details for tax services when available.

Attribution: All operational updates and program details were presented to council by Councilman Paul Trunzo during the committee reports portion of the meeting.