Senator Gene Yaw announced on April 20 that the Knoxville-Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company in Tioga County will receive $250,000 in state funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program. The funds are intended to support flood recovery efforts and help build a new fire station outside the floodplain.
The announcement follows severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024, which damaged emergency response facilities across Tioga County. The grant aims to improve safety and resilience for local first responders and their community.
“Protecting our communities means making sure our local first responders have the equipment and infrastructure they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently,” Yaw said. “I’m pleased to have secured this funding for the Fire Company and I’m proud to support their ongoing efforts to upgrade their facilities.”
Chief Mike Bloom of the Knoxville-Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company said, “Our current building no longer meets the needs of our department, and we have experienced flooding at this location twice. This grant is a major step toward building a facility that better serves our community. We are extremely grateful to Sen. Gene Yaw and his team for their continued support and for helping make this opportunity possible.”
Yaw has contributed to community activities by coaching Little League Baseball and youth soccer, according to the official website. He also received recognition as Lycoming County Solicitor of the Year in 2004 according to his official website. In addition, he provided general counsel to the Pennsylvania College of Technology for more than two decades and has chaired its board since 2013 according to his official website.
Yaw currently chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee while serving as vice chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee according to his official website. He represents areas including Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties according to his official website.
For further updates or information about state-related news from Senator Yaw’s office, constituents can visit www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook or X.
