HARRISBURG – The state has awarded $1.4 million in grants to fire and EMS companies across Schuylkill County, state Reps. Neal P. Goodman, Jerry Knowles, and Mike Tobash and state Sen. David G. Argall announced.
The grants come from the Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.
“These grants will help volunteers from across the county to continue their life-saving work,” said Goodman, D-Schuylkill. “I am grateful for all the work our fire and EMS companies do, and I’m proud that the state provides this support to them.”
“As a former active volunteer firefighter, I recognize the costs of equipment and fire apparatus,” said Knowles, R-Schuylkill. “I’m glad our area emergency service providers are receiving these state funds to help with their necessary costs.”
“We are very thankful and appreciative of our volunteer fire companies, comprised of men and women from all across our area,” said Tobash, R-Schuylkill. “I am glad they are able to receive this funding so they can continue to keep communities safe when emergencies strike.”
“This investment will assist our local volunteer first responders to protect more lives in Schuylkill County,” said Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks. “I applaud the efforts of our local volunteers to secure these state funds and I look forward to supporting House Bill 1877.”
With the grant program set to expire on June 30, 2016, Goodman, Knowles, and Tobash recently voted in favor of H.B.1877, which would extend the program for another four years. The bill will now go to the state Senate for consideration.
Grants can be used toward repairing, building or renovating facilities. Grant money also can be applied toward the purchase of new equipment, training and certification of staff, or it may go to repay debt related to equipment purchases or facility building and maintenance.
In the county, 118 fire and EMS companies were awarded grants that ranged in amount from $25,289.79 to $4,735.70. A complete list of Schuylkill County fire and EMS companies that received these grants is available by clicking here.
| CONTACT: Bob Laylo Office of state Rep. Neal P. Goodman Phone: 717-787-2798 Email: rlaylo@pahouse.net |