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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Gary Haluska |
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Applications being taken for state volunteer fire/ambulance grants
HARRISBURG, Sept. 9 – State Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Cambria, said the state began accepting applications this week for the 2009-10 Volunteer Fire Company/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.
The grants are available to volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue companies, and may be used for construction and/or renovation of the company's facilities; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; debt reduction; and training and certification of members. Fire and rescue companies may obtain grants of up to $15,000; ambulance companies may obtain grants of up to $10,000.
"The majority of communities in Pennsylvania depend on volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance companies to protect lives and property and respond to emergencies, yet the cost of providing these services is significant," Haluska said. "The General Assembly created this program several years ago to help ensure that our volunteer responders can continue to provide emergency services and continue to save local governments and taxpayers money at the same time.
"In 2007, we passed a law to ensure that funding continues for this program at least through 2012. I encourage volunteer companies in this area to apply for these grants to help meet their expenses."
Program guidelines, online applications and application assistance is available on the Office of State Fire Commissioner's Web site at www.osfc.state.pa.us. The deadline for volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance companies to apply for grants for the 2009-10 fiscal year is Oct. 23, 2009.