Northwest PA News

Feb. 14, 2024

Fire and ambulance companies in the 65th Legislative District will receive a total of $566,225 in state grants to support their public safety mission, according to an announcement made by Rep. Kathy L. Rapp.

"Most of our EMTs, paramedics and firefighters in the 65th district are responsible for large coverage areas," said Rapp. "That means their equipment needs to be primed and ready to go, just like our first responders themselves. These grants will allow our fire departments and ambulance companies to maintain their high standards of safety and preparedness."

The funding for these grants comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). The money for these grants is generated from the proceeds of slot machine gaming, rather than General Fund tax revenue.

The projects eligible for funding include the construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. All companies that apply and meet the requirements outlined by OSFC will receive funding. The companies must file a grant agreement with OFSC to receive their grants.

A breakdown of the grants awarded to various fire and ambulance companies in the 65th Legislative District is as follows:

Crawford County:

- Bloomfield Township Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Bloomfield Township Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $15,000

- Blooming Valley Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Cambridge Springs Volunteer Fire Department: $13,645.11

- Centerville Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Centerville Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $12,000

- The Saegertown Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $13,061.55

- Spartansburg Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $13,061.55

- Spartansburg Volunteer Fire Department Inc. EMS: $15,000

- Townville Ambulance Service Inc.: $15,000

- Townville Volunteer Fire Department: $13,450.59

- Venango Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association: $13,839.63

- Venango Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association EMS: $15,000

Forest County:

- Marienville Volunteer Fire Company Inc.: $13,061.55

- Tionesta Ambulance Service Inc.: $14,750

- Tionesta Volunteer Fire Department: $14,034.16

- West Hickory Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

Warren County:

- Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- City of Warren Fire Department: $16,173.90

- City of Warren Fire Department EMS: $15,000

- Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $14,610

- Garland Volunteer Fire Company: $13,061.55

- Lander Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- North Warren Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $14,228.68

- Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $13,256.07

- Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department Inc. EMS: $15,000

- Russell Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $13,061.55

- Russell Volunteer Fire Department Inc. EMS: $15,000

- Scandia Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Scandia Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $15,000

- Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service: $13,256.07

- Spring Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department: $13,450.59

- Starbrick Volunteer Fire Department: $13,645.11

- Sugar Grove Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Sugar Grove Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $15,000

- Tidioute Area Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Wrightsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $13,839.63

- Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department: $13,061.55

- Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department EMS: $15,000

These grants will enable the fire and ambulance companies to maintain their high standards of safety and preparedness, ensuring that they can effectively respond to emergencies in their communities. The funding will be used for various purposes such as facility construction or renovation, equipment purchase or repair, and training.

The ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner continues to support the public safety mission of these vital organizations. By utilizing the proceeds from slot machine gaming, the program ensures that the necessary resources are available for the fire and ambulance companies to fulfill their duties.