Leaky roof replaced at Hilltop Hose in Harrison with help from state grant

The roof at Hilltop Hose in Harrison was starting to look a bit like Swiss cheese in certain spots.

Water was dripping so much that it rotted the ceiling in the social hall and ruined part of the bar at the station along Cambridge Street.

“It was put on back in 2005,” said Brian Carney, president of the fire department. “It was leaking really bad since winter.”

Last week, a new roof was installed at the fire hall thanks to a grant secured through state Rep. Mandy Steele.

The cost was $23,500.

Money came through the Department of Community and Economic Development where Steele said she was able to get an emergency drawdown.

“When I heard about the condition of the roof, I wanted to do everything I could to help. These are exceptional people that put their own lives on the line to keep us safe,” she said.

“So much good springs from our first responders, yet they’ve been overlooked for so long.”

Founded in 1914, Hilltop has about 50 members, 30 of whom are active.

Carney said the funding is a lifesaver.

“We didn’t know how we were gonna pay for it. We bust our hump fundraising, but money doesn’t come easy and we have a lot of other expenses,” he said.

JP Roofing & Metal Buildings Inc. of North Versailles completed the work in one day.

Massive holes were located in “the valley of the roof,” where the flat portion of the roof meets the peaked part, Carney said.

A member of the department for 10 years, Carney said he can’t adequately express what the grant means to the members.

“The last grant we got was from the federal government a while back, and we were able to get new breathing apparatus,” he said. “The grants don’t come easy, so we really appreciate this.”