The Fred Beans Automotive Group, through the Fred Beans Charitable Foundation, has donated $100,000 to the Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company (PVFC) Capital Fund. The donation helps relieve a portion of debt incurred by PVFC, which has undertaken major construction projects and fire truck purchases to ensure its future.
PVFC has received $1.7 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth-funded grant program. That grant, however, requires matching funds from the Fire Company. It also requires the Fire Company first spend the money on necessary improvements before receiving the grant funds as a reimbursement.
Although the RACP grant is a significant piece of the funding puzzle, there are other pieces that must now come together.
“The Fire Company is soliciting donations like this very generous one made by Fred Beans to cover the gap between our funding sources and the total project costs as well as to pay down the debt we are taking on by spending the appropriated grant money before we have it in hand,” said PVFC Past President Charlie Rumble.
Rumble said PVFC’s plans include replacing the recently demolished Station 20 at Easton and Ferry roads and renovating Station 24 on Stump Road, which was built in 1935. Both construction projects address outdated structures that needed attention for the Fire Company’s safe operation.
The Fire Company also purchased two new fire trucks, which will be delivered in June 2023, to replace two existing trucks that are 31 and 24 years old. “They are running on their last legs, and like an old car, it costs us more to keep them on the road than to replace them,” he added.
Fred Beans, founder of the Fred Beans Automotive Group, said that his company’s donation to the Fire Company will benefit the community for decades to come. “An investment in our Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company is an investment in our entire community,” he said. “We are helping to secure a future for the Fire Company by addressing outdated spaces and trucks so that the Fire Company can continue protecting us exceptionally well. The new building for Station 20 is equally important, because it is in close proximity to so many community members and businesses throughout Plumstead Township.”