Pickett Announces $400,000 in State Grants for Fire, EMS Companies

Submitted Article

More than $403,000 in state gaming proceeds will benefit 33 fire and ambulance companies in the three-county region that comprises the 110^th Legislative District, said Rep. Tina Pickett (Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna).

The grants are designed to help these companies better afford the critical life- and property-saving services they provide to local communities.

“The job of a volunteer firefighter or an emergency medical technician entails more than putting out fires, responding to vehicle crashes or performing CPR or first aid,” Pickett said. “Much of their responsibilities are focusing on raising much-needed funds so they can continue to keep the lights on, purchase new equipment or take additional training. That’s why these grants are so popular and so beneficial to our communities. I thank each and every fire and ambulance company member for all he or she does to keep us safe.”

The Pennsylvania Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program awards funding to local organizations for the construction or renovation of a fire company or ambulance service’s primary structure; the purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction.  The grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of Fire Commissioner within the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The funding comes from proceeds from slot machine gaming in Pennsylvania.

Grants totaling $221,182 were awarded to the following companies in the district located in Bradford County:

• Athens Township Volunteer Fire Company — $11,911.

• Diahoga Hose Company No. 6 — $12,096.

• Engine Company No. 1 — $11,543.

• Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department — $11,543.

• Greater Valley Emergency Medical Services Inc. — $12,280 for fire and $7,037 for EMS.

• Howard Elmer Hose Company No. 4 — $12,096.

• J.E. Wheelock Hose Company No. 5 — $11,727.

• Litchfield Township Volunteer Fire Company — $11,543.

• New Albany Volunteer Fire Company — $11,543.

• North Towanda Fire and Rescue Volunteers Inc. — $12,649.

• Protection Hose Company No. 1 — $12,096.

• Towanda Fire Department — $12,096.

• Ulster-Sheshequin Fire Association — $12,096.

• Vigilante Engine Company No. 1 — $11,543.

• Wilmot Fire Company Inc. — $12,464.

• Windham Township Volunteer Fire Company — $11,543.

• Wyalusing Valley Volunteer Fire Department — $11,543.

• Wysox Volunteer Fire Company — $12,833.

Grants amounting to $140,700 were awarded to the following companies located in Sullivan County:

• Dushore Fire Company No. 1 — $12,280 for fire and $7,037 for EMS services.

• Eagles Mere Fire Company – $11,543.

• Eagles Mere Volunteer Fire Company Ambulance Association — $7,037.

• Eldredsville Volunteer Fire Company Inc. — $11,911 for fire and $7,037 for EMS.

• Endless Winds Volunteer Fire Company — $11,911.

• Forksville Volunteer Fire Company — $11,911.

• Hillsgrove Volunteer Fire Company — $11,543 for fire and $3,741 for EMS.

• Laporte Borough Volunteer Fire Company — $11,727 for fire and $7,037 for EMS.

• Mildred Ambulance Association — $7,037.

• Muncy Valley Area Volunteer Fire Company — $11,911 for fire and $7,037 for EMS.

Grants totaling $41,744 were awarded to the following companies located in the 110^th District in Susquehanna County:

• Hop Bottom Hose Company — $10,515.

• Little Meadows Volunteer Fire Company — $11,543 for fire and $7,037 for EMS.

• Springville Volunteer Fire Company — $12,649.