Brooker town leaders told the delegation the town needs the remainder of previously promised funding to complete a new fire station, buy required apparatus and staff the facility.

Mayor Gene Melvin described long response times for medical and fire emergencies in western Bradford County and said the town received only a portion of the funding requested last year. “If one of those children fall, break their arms or their legs, or puncture their lung, it's gonna be 25 to 30 minutes before we'll get mercy help,” Melvin said, noting the school population and new houses near the route.

Fire Chief Ben Carter said the county received two fire trucks in 2023–24 but that Brooker’s station still needs funding to finish the station and buy a tanker and engine. Carter summarized the current ask as roughly $500,000 for the fire station and about $515,000 to finish apparatus purchases; he said an engine already ordered is expected to be delivered in February and that plans for the station are completed.

County officials and commissioners backed the Brooker requests, and county staff told the delegation that some appropriations from prior years had been spent on planning and initial equipment orders. Local officials said the final appropriation would serve not only the town of Brooker but all of western Bradford County.

Why it matters: Local officials emphasized response times and school safety as the rationale for a proximate station and apparatus and said recent population and housing growth increases the need for an in‑town station.

What’s next: Brooker leaders asked the delegation to prioritize completion funding and described plans to begin construction as soon as funds are received.