HARMONY — Harmony Fire District received a $10,000 matching grant from the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf this week in recognition of Fire Prevention Week and the service of volunteer firefighters throughout the state.

The state grant will be used to cover the cost of upgrading the radio system as part of a countywide mandatory radio upgrade that must be completed by the end of 2018.

“We surely needed it,” said Fire Chief Scott Garing. “Just like every other grant we apply for, if we can deter some funding within the fire district, it's worthwhile. Our operating budget supports the payments for the apparatus, (but) the rest of the money is made through fundraising and grants to be able to purchase and upgrade equipment.”

The funding is part of a total $646,891 being used to help rural communities guard against the threat of wildfires in the state's forests and other undeveloped areas.

Garing said Wednesday that the district also was recently made aware of its acceptance as a recipient of the PA Act 13 Unconventional Well Drilling Grant for $3,700.

Read the full story in the Butler Eagle.