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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Dermody |
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Dermody says federal, state DCNR fire grants now available
CHESWICK, March 7 – State Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, announced today that local fire departments and ambulance services can apply for two grant programs: the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Volunteer Fire Assistance cost-share program and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program
"Our fire departments and emergency personnel are valuable community assets," Dermody said. "We've been working in the General Assembly to help keep these organizations operating through the Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance Company Grant Program. But every little bit helps, so I encourage all departments to take advantage of these programs, as well."
The state DCNR Volunteer Fire Assistance program offers financial assistance to departments for up to 50 percent of the cost of their qualified purchases. The maximum grant considered is $7,500 per fire company. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on May 2.
The state VFA program is mostly used for equipment purchase, training, maintenance or conversion. Priority is given to projects that include the purchase of wildland fire suppression equipment and wildland fire protective gear. More information and applications for the VFA program is available online at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/ffp/vfagrant.aspx. Information also is available by calling Dermody's office at 724-274-4770.
The federal Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is a $500 million federal program that awards grants to volunteer and professional fire departments and EMS organizations across the country. In 2007, Pennsylvania's fire and emergency services were awarded more than $49 million under the program. The 2008 application must be filed online at www.firegrantsupport.com by 5 p.m. on April 4, 2008.
There are two types of grants under the federal program:
-- General operation and safety, such as training, protective equipment, health and fitness, and facilities;
-- Vehicle acquisition and related equipment, such as pumpers, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units and fireboats.
A help desk is available via e-mail at firegrants@dhs.gov or by calling 1-866-274-0960.
Dermody said these are just a few programs federal and state government are offering to support firefighters and EMS services. In addition, he supported legislation that created the $25 million annual state program that provides grants of up to $15,000 to eligible fire companies and $10,000 to eligible ambulance companies in Pennsylvania.
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