Submitted Article
Recognizing the additional challenges facing the Pennsylvania fire and emergency medical services resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the state House of Representatives today approved $50 million in additional grant funding for the organizations, according to Rep. Tina Pickett (Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna).
Senate Bill 1122 creates the COVID-19 Crisis Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program with funding coming from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The current health crisis has made fundraising efforts more difficult for local fire and ambulance companies,” said Pickett. “I am pleased we are able to provide them with this badly needed financial support so they can continue their dedicated service to our communities, which is so critical right now.”
Under the bill, the funds would be distributed as follows: $44 million for grants to eligible fire companies and $6 million for grants to eligible EMS companies.
The grants would be administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) in a manner similar to how funds were provided through the Fire Company Grant Program and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, respectively. Eligible companies that did not apply for or receive a fire and EMS grant in fiscal year 2019-20 would be required to submit an application for this funding.
After passing by unanimous votes in both the House and Senate, the bill was sent to the governor’s desk. He signed it into law on Friday.