PROSPECT — The Rotary Club of Portersville-Prospect helped remove some of the burden from their volunteer fire departments.

Volunteer emergency response organizations have been tasked by the county with upgrading their radio communications equipment by the end of this year.

Prospect Mayor James Butler, who also serves as the club's president, said the club has donated $1,000 to each of the three volunteer emergency crews in its area, including the Portersville Muddy Creek Township VFD, the Prospect Borough Franklin Township VFD and the Portersville Muddy Creek Volunteer EMS.

“Our club meets at the Portersville EMS building,” Butler said. “We're well aware of what these organizations bring to our community and the help they need.”

Butler said he has seen cost estimates for the upgrades at about $35,000 per station.

“I knew that was going to be a cash crunch for a lot of these volunteer organizations,” Butler said.

The money was raised through events sponsored by the Rotary Club and through a Rotary District matching grant.

“Rotary's mission is 'Service above self,'” Butler said. “These people aren't getting paid, and they're doing it to keep us safe. Our club going out and raising these funds and giving it to them is to show our appreciation for how they serve our community.”