Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a delightful holiday season. Life and schedules will be returning to normal this week as kids go back to school and visiting family members leave to go back home.

Call it an early Christmas present. Or maybe an early birthday present. Either way, the 25 members of Station 19, Upper Milford’s Western District Fire Company, are starting off the new year in style – with new firefighting gear and nine new air packs, thanks to a $118,500 federal assistance to firefighters grant received late last year.

The new equipment replaces outdated personal protective equipment (also known as “bunker gear”) and air packs more than 10 years old. The emphasis is on improved firefighter safety. The new firefighting coats and pants have twice as much reflective material as the old clothing. Plus, the “New York-style” helmets have built-in, battery-powered lights on the front visor for better visibility and also on the back brim for improved personnel accountability and safety.

Application for the grant began in December 2015. The grant application was backed by letters of support from local, state and federal elected officials.

Founded in 1942, the fire company is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2017. Station 19 responds to about 100 emergency calls a year.

The Western District Fire Company usually serves breakfast the first Sunday of every month, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All you care to eat. There are senior, adult and children’s prices. There was no breakfast in January, since the first Sunday in January was New Year’s Day, but the fire company is suggesting you come out and eat breakfast for dinner 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14, when they are planning a pancake and sausage supper. It is also all you can eat and there are children’s prices.

The regular breakfast schedule resumes in February, when the breakfast will be Feb. 4. For information on the breakfasts, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Fire Company’s ladies auxiliary meets the first Monday of the month 7 p.m. New members are always welcome.

The Upper Milford Historical Society will meet 7 p.m. Jan. 26, at the Upper Milford Township building in Old Zionsville. This will be the society’s now traditional “Discovery Night,” when members and guests are invited to share memories, stories, photos and items of historical interest.

Vera Cruz senior citizens meet 1 p.m. Jan. 5 and 19 at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

Upper Milford supervisors held their reorganization meeting Jan. 3, so the meeting usually held the first Thursday of the month is canceled. They will meet 7 p.m. Jan. 19.

The Upper Milford auditors meet 6 p.m. Jan. 4.

The Upper Milford Open Space Committee meets 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11.

The Upper Milford Recreation Commission meets 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16.

The Upper Milford Planning Commission meets 7:30 p.m. the Monday prior to the first Thursday of every month unless that is a holiday.

The Joint Environmental Advisory Council meets 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Upper Milford Township building.

Lower Milford Township board of supervisors will meet 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in the township building.

Following is the schedule of other Lower Milford meetings in January. All meetings are 7:30 p.m. in the township building unless otherwise noted: zoning hearing board, 7 p.m. Jan. 25; historical commission, Jan. 9; recreation and open space committee, Jan. 10.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, please call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce.swan@rcn.com.