Pa. Fire, Ambulance Companies Get $300,000 in Grants

April 22--Twenty-eight local fire and ambulance operations will receive more than $300,000 in state grants, state Rep. Frank Burns announced Thursday.

The grants, which total $322,000 for the state's 72nd District, are provided by the Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, which is funded by gaming revenue.

Although the grant program is set to expire June 30, the state House recently voted unanimously for a bill that would extend the program for four years.

This bill is awaiting action in the Senate.

The grants can be used to repair, build or renovate facilities, Burns said in a press release, or can be put toward purchasing equipment, training, certification of staff or repaying debt from equipment purchases, facility building and maintenance.

"As someone who suited up to personally sample first responder training at the Cambria County Fire School, I can attest to the hard, dangerous and precise work our firefighters and EMS providers engage in every day," Burns said.

"These state grants will help them to continue to provide the high-level services that benefit our communities."

Jocelyn Brumbaugh is a reporter for the Tribune-Democrat. Follow her on Twitter @JBrumbaughTD.

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