Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department needs your help!
EVFD is an organization that receives money from community resources, grants, and donations to support our operating budget. A combination of these funds are allocated to sustain equipment, vehicles, and supplies, as well as, facilitate volunteer firefighter recruitment, training, and retention. EVFD proactively applies for state and federal grants that specifically support firefighter safety, recruitment, and retention. However, many of these grants restrict how the funds can be used. This is why community resources and donations play a vital role in supporting EVFD.
Many people mistakenly believe that their tax monies are used to fund their fire protection; however, this is not the case. Within the borough of Edgewood only 3% of the 2.4 million dollar budget is allocated for firefighter support. This appropriation is ONLY used for the purchase and maintenance of the fire apparatus. This is exclusive of any other firefighting activity or expense including firefighter training, personal protective gear, tools, hoses, nozzles, and all other equipment.
To cover the shortfall between the donations, EVFD’s primary source of income, and all other actual expenses EVFD solicits grants and other free public monies. As government budgets become tighter, so does the competition between volunteer fire departments that apply for these monies.
Donations are used to maintain existing fire and rescue apparatus, purchase new gear and equipment when necessary that are used in fire, rescue, and critical medical services. It costs a great deal to add to or replace aging equipment and continue to provide the training that keeps us ready for a rapid response when you need us. Donations to the EVFD help the men and women of the fire department provide the best services possible to the citizens of Edgewood, however; the specialized equipment required for firefighting and rescue can be prohibitively expensive.
For example, to equip a firefighter with the minimum amount of equipment needed for response:
| Turnout Jacket | $ 1,100 |
| Turnout Pants | $ 800 |
| Firefighting Boots | $ 350 |
| Firefighting Gloves | $ 80 |
| Firefighting Helmet | $ 250 |
| Firefighting Hood | $ 40 |
| Department Pager | $400 |
| TOTAL | $ 3,020 /volunteer x 21 volunteers = $ 63,420 |
This amount does not include the cost of a two-way radio, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), or other specialized tools that are needed for various incidents. With the increased demand for emergency services in the borough as of 2011, it is important that we maintain the equipment on our trucks at a high level of readiness.
Here are some examples of equipment replacement costs:
| 50 foot section of 1 ¾ inch Hose | $210 |
| Fire Nozzle | $800 |
| Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Mask |
$7,000 |
| Hurst Hydraulic Cutting Tool (“Jaws of Life”) | $3,800 |
| Two-way handheld radio | $1,275 |
| Fire axe | $220 |
| 24 foot extension ladder | $800 |
Any size donation is greatly appreciated and may be tax deductible; please consult your tax advisor. If you would like your donation to be used for a specific fund, please specify one of the categories below.
- General operating fund
- Maintenance of apparatus
- New gear and equipment
- Live-in program
Donate by Mail:
Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department
2 Race Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Donate Online:
Online donations through PayPal will be available soon.