Washington Township supervisors discussed the Emergency Management Report from Joe Mead this month.

The Lehigh Emergency Management Agency’s quarterly meeting was held on Feb. 6.

The meeting included a discussion on the new county radio system.

The township will receive information from the county regarding the purchase and payback payments for the radios for fire departments and the Emergency Management Agency.

Lehigh County is the only county in the state that secured a bond to purchase enough radios for all volunteer municipalities. Star Hose Fire Company, Emerald, Friedens Fire Company and Slatedale Fire Department each contributed $1,000 to hire a federal grant writer.

Currently, all FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants and other federal grants, including those under the State Support Program, are frozen.

This freeze was ordered by the Trump administration in late January to ensure spending complies with recent executive orders, reportedly halting draw downs from approved grant funds. Impacted programs include those supporting fire gear acquisition, the Homeland Security Program, the Hazard Mitigation Program, funding for fire academies, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program.

Equipping all personnel and fire apparatus in Washington Township with the state-mandated radio system will cost more than $500,000. Lehigh County EMA’s Community Emergency Response Team spring academy will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on April 17 to June 5 at the Fogelsville Fire Company Social Hall, 7850 Lime St., Fogelsville.

The class is open to everyone and is free of charge. For more information, visit lestafire.org/spring--cert-training.

Learn the skills needed to help take care of yourself, your family, neighbors and others by attending this free training.

Spring is quickly approaching, making this a great time to evaluate your property for protection against brush and wildfires. Visit readyforwildfire.org for more information.

The board approved the release of the budgeted $30,000 donation to Friedens Fire Company. The board also approved adding 11.35 acres at 5654 Ridge Road, Slatington, to the Agricultural Security Area. Chairman Josh Friebolin read a thank-you note from the Slatington Library for their annual $5,000 donation.

The Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority’s requests for use of Eagles Nest were approved as follows: • Bulldog Blast Summer Rec Program: Fridays from June 23, through Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Walk With Ease Pro• gram: Every Monday and Friday from April 14,, through May 23,, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. • Cornhole Tournament: May 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with setup throughout the week prior. The event will feature food trucks, music, and local organizations. For the tournament, they requested approval for vendors selling alcoholic beverages; NLRA will ensure all necessary Certificates of Insurance are provided. • Trunk or Treat: Oct. 17, ,from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. • Electronics Recycling Day will be held at the Township Building, 7951 Center St., Emerald, on Saturday, June 7,, from 8 a.m. to noon. This event is for Washington Township residents only; ID is required.