Rep. Causer Applauds Reauthorization,
Expansion of Fire/EMS Grant Program
HARRISBURG – Recognizing the value of volunteer fire and emergency response organizations serving the Commonwealth, the state House has unanimously approved legislation to reauthorize and increase funding for the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).
“This program has been vitally important to our emergency responders in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties over the last decade,” Causer said. “Equipment costs are going up and, in many cases, volunteer ranks are going down. These grants help keep our volunteer companies running and enable dedicated volunteers to have access to training and equipment they might not otherwise be able to afford.”
Senate Bill 866 reauthorizes the grant program and extends it for an additional four years. It increases total funding for the grants from $25 million to $30 million and also makes financial assistance available to some paid municipal fire companies, such as the City of Bradford Fire Department.
Created in 2003, the program allows grants to be used for the construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reducing existing debt.
Over the last decade, $3.2 million has been awarded to about 40 volunteer fire and ambulance companies in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties.
The grant program is administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Senate Bill 866 now goes to the governor for his signature.
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“This program has been vitally important to our emergency responders in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties over the last decade,” Causer said. “Equipment costs are going up and, in many cases, volunteer ranks are going down. These grants help keep our volunteer companies running and enable dedicated volunteers to have access to training and equipment they might not otherwise be able to afford.”
Senate Bill 866 reauthorizes the grant program and extends it for an additional four years. It increases total funding for the grants from $25 million to $30 million and also makes financial assistance available to some paid municipal fire companies, such as the City of Bradford Fire Department.
Created in 2003, the program allows grants to be used for the construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reducing existing debt.
Over the last decade, $3.2 million has been awarded to about 40 volunteer fire and ambulance companies in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties.
The grant program is administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Senate Bill 866 now goes to the governor for his signature.
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...since 1947
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