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$25 Million Grant Program for Volunteer Firefighters,
Emergency Responders Signed Into Law
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
that would provide $25 million in grants for Pennsylvania volunteer fire
companies and ambulance services was signed into law today, according to Sen.
Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks).
Under the Volunteer Fire
Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act, volunteer fire companies and
EMS crews would have until April 30 to submit applications for the grants, and
funding would be available as soon as this summer. Tomlinson sponsored similar
legislation, Senate Bill 867, which passed the Senate in September.
“Our volunteer firefighters
and ambulance corps provide a vital service by protecting lives and property in
their communities, and they deserve a great deal of respect and admiration for
putting their lives on the line to protect us,” Tomlinson said. “This funding
will ensure that our firefighters and ambulance services have the training and
equipment they need to provide the most safe and efficient rescue efforts
possible.”
Grants to volunteer fire and
rescue companies would range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000
and could be used for construction or renovation of the fire company's primary
structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment;
training; or debt reduction.
Tomlinson said the grant
program received strong support from both the Senate and House last year, but
the funding was not included as part of the budget for Fiscal Year 2005-06 that
was enacted last July.
The grant program will be
administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. PEMA will be
required to provide written instructions and guidelines for grants to the fire
chief and the president of every volunteer fire company in this Commonwealth on
or before February 28. All applications must be approved or disapproved by June
30, and any application that is not approved or disapproved by June 30 would be
deemed approved.
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