Burns’ support ‘definitely helped’ Nanty Glo Fire Co. get grant
$259,033 awarded for new rubber roof, sunken driveway repair
Rep. Frank Burns July 8, 2026 | 4:27 PM
JOHNSTOWN, July 8 – The degraded and leaking 30-year-old rubber roof over Nanty Glo Fire Co. – whose 40-square-mile primary coverage area includes Nanty Glo Borough and Blacklick Township – is being replaced thanks to a $259,033 state grant supported by state Rep. Frank Burns.
Bryant Greene, assistant fire chief, said that in addition to the roof repair, the state funds will shore up a cracking and sinking driveway area that could impede emergency vehicle response if unaddressed.
“When we did apply [for the grant], we contacted Frank Burns’ office. His support in this definitely helped us. That is greatly appreciated,” Greene said. “And it’s nice to see these funds coming back to our area to help, to lessen the financial burden on the municipality and our taxpayers.
“Without that [state funding] support, we would be in a huge financial burden.”
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“When we did apply [for the grant], we contacted Frank Burns’ office. His support in this definitely helped us. That is greatly appreciated.” – Bryant Greene, Nanty Glo Fire Co. assistant chief.
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Greene said that with the funding success that included support from Burns, D-Cambria, the fire company only needed to contribute $14,000 of its own funds to make the substantial repairs, overcoming what would have been an overwhelming cost without the state aid.
“The flat roof covers our fire apparatus and gear, and our fire engine and ladder truck and support vehicles. It also covers our restrooms and kitchen and meeting room,” Greene said. “We plan on repairing that flat roof section, removing old (rubber) membrane and replacing it with new membrane. We’re also adding some buildup on the roof to better direct stormwater into drains.”
Greene said the driveway issues are exacerbated by an underlying sanitary sewer line, which will be stabilized before the driveway is strengthened with new concrete pads that include structural rebar.
“We want to get that repaired now, so it doesn’t become an issue where we can’t get our fire vehicles in and out. We don’t want to inhibit our response to emergencies,” Greene said. “It will last a lot longer than our current pads.”
Greene said that other players in the cooperative success were Nanty Glo Borough, which sponsored the grant application because a municipality is required for that; the grant writers used by his department, who “make sure we have proper verbiage;” and the community in general, which offers consistent support.
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