|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
Majority Leader Bill DeWeese D-Greene/Fayette/Washington
State Rep. Tim Solobay
State Rep. David Levdansky D-Allegheny/Washington
State Rep. Jesse White D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver
State Rep. Peter Daley D-Fayette/Washington
State Sen. J. Barry Stout 46th Senatorial District
|
|
Washington County first responders to share nearly $1 million in state grants
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 – The Washington County Delegation of the state legislature announced that local volunteer fire and emergency medical service companies will share nearly $1 million in grants from the state Volunteer Fire Company/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.
The grants can be used by volunteer fire and EMS departments for construction and/or renovation of their facilities; to purchase or repair fixtures and furnishings; to purchase or repair firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; for debt reduction; or for training and certification of members.
“If we had to pay for the services these dedicated volunteers provide their local communities, it would cost taxpayers about $6 billion more per year,” House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese said. “Providing this grant money is a smart investment of state dollars that will go a long way in ensuring the safety of our residents.”
“These grants enable our local first responders to spend less time fund raising and more time training, which will make them better firefighters and EMTs,” said state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, chairman of the Pennsylvania Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus.
This year, maximum grant amounts were doubled to $30,000 for volunteer fire companies and $20,000 for volunteer ambulance services because there were no grants available in 2006. The problem of waiting for the legislature to renew funding for the grants each year was remedied by passage of H.B. 906, which was signed into law last June. Co-sponsored by members of the Washington County Delegation, the new law provides funding for the program through 2012.
“Because the grant program has been extended, our volunteer first responders will not need to worry year in and year out if money will be available for them,” said state Rep. David Levdansky, D-Allegheny/Washington.
“Fund raising is a necessary function of our local volunteer fire and ambulance companies,” said state Rep. Jesse White, D-Allegheny/Beaver/Washington. “However, this grant program allows companies to cut their fund-raising commitments so members can focus on the real reason they got involved – to help others.”
“When there is a fire or an accident, we assume the volunteers responding are well-trained and properly equipped,” said state Rep. Peter Daley, Fayette/Washington. “This grant program helps to ensure that they are.”
Forty-nine local volunteer fire and EMS companies received grants this year, with the average grant topping $19,000.
“I am pleased so many of our local fire and ambulance companies received grants,” said state Sen. J. Barry Stout, D-46th Legislative District. “I encourage others who have never applied to take advantage of this important help from the state.”
The Volunteer Fire Company/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program is administered through the Office of State Fire Commissioner. More information about the grant program is available online at www.osfc.state.pa.us.
###lr/2008/mjh
l:\print\releases\FireGrants.048