HARRISBURG – Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) announced that more than $1.1 million will be awarded to volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout the 32nd District by a grant program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
In the 32nd District, Fayette County received $613,290, Somerset County received $387,279 and Westmoreland County received $107,214.
The Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service (FCEMS) Grant Program provides grants to improve and enhance firefighting, ambulance and rescue services capabilities of fire companies and emergency medical services throughout the Commonwealth. It is open to all fire and EMS companies, as well as volunteer rescue squads.
Because Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives passed Act 93 of 2020, fire and EMS companies may use the grants for more areas, including education of the public regarding fire prevention and community risk reduction; recruitment and retention programs; volunteer firefighter length of service programs; and revenue loss for grants issued in 2020 or 2021.
“As the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I understand the financial and staffing struggles that EMS and fire companies have been facing for decades. The Commonwealth went from 300,000 volunteer firefighters in the 1970s to just 38,000 today, which clearly shows how dire the need is for both recruitment and retention,” Sen. Stefano said. “While our fire and EMS companies need more support, the grants will help them continue providing life-saving service.”
Grants may also be used to fund the purchase or repair of equipment, construction or renovation of facilities, debt reduction and training.
Click here for the full list of FCEMS grants.
CONTACT: Mark Fetzko, 717-787-7175