MANCHESTER – Manchester Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Pat Howell received two Scott Air-Paks during a recent Township Council meeting.
Police Chief Robert Dolan pointed out the two devices saying, “at the end of 2022, Governor (Phil) Murphy made $10 million available in ARP (American Rescue Plan) money for assistance to firefighters.”
Dolan added, “looking at the needs of all the volunteer fire companies we had the opportunity to purchase these. They are expensive at $8,000 each and through Director (of Emergency Services Robert) Baran’s efforts along with council passing a resolution to apply for the grant we received it for $3,400 – so half of it we don’t have to pay.”
“They finally came in and these are being presented to the Manchester Township Volunteer Fire Company,” Chief Dolan added.
“I appreciate the town for giving us the opportunity to receive this. We have old packs at our station. These packs will help us down the line,” Howell said.
In other news, Ocean County Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines received the proclamation for Constitution Week during a recent Township Council meeting.
The observance of Constitution Week runs annually from September 17 to September 23. It was officially enacted on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. President George W. Bush officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in September 2002.
The purpose of the observance is to promote study and education about the United States Constitution which was originally adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787. The Daughters of the American Revolution state the purpose to “emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution. Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life and encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.”
Mayor Arace noted in the proclamation that this year marks “the 236th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States by the Constitution Convention.” It recognized the Joshua Huddy chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution along with the Ocean County Historical Society in celebrating Constitution Week in Ocean County.
Haines thanked the mayor and council for the proclamation and noted, “It is now more important than ever to remember the importance of this. We do have the best Constitution in the entire world. I am hoping we can get one (proclamation) from every municipality in Ocean County. Haines said she serves as regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution.”
The session also had Municipal Alliance Coordinator Barbara Sprechman accepting a proclamation for International National Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). IOAD is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died from overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
This year’ IOAD theme is “Recognizing those people who go unseen” which is about acknowledging people in our communities who are affected by overdose but might go unseen in the crisis.
Sprechman remarked, “thank you for recognizing this day that recognizes those who are addicted, those in treatment and struggling with addiction as well as those who have passed unfortunately. They are not recognized enough.” She noted that there would be overdose awareness events and also future events that serve to celebrate people’s lives.
“You can be an addict in no time at all with pain prescription pills. It takes as little as five days to become addicted to some of these potent painkillers. We will be doing an event I’m sure, next year to celebrate this important day,” she added.
