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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann
Collis |
State Rep. Bryan Lentz |
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House passes Lentz bill to resuscitate EMS, volunteer fire grants
HARRISBURG, May 8 –The House approved legislation sponsored by state Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, that would renew for five years the state’s authority to provide grants to volunteer fire companies and emergency medical services.
“This would allow the state to continue providing vital grant money to first responders to update their equipment and receive the training they need to effectively protect their towns,” Lentz said. “Volunteer fire and EMS companies save Pennsylvania taxpayers $6 billion each year. They have a tough job and I am proud to fight for continued funding for this grant program and to show my support for these volunteers.”
The legislation, H.B. 906, would renew the Volunteer Fire Company and the Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program through 2012, when legislators would be able to review and make changes to the program before reauthorizing it.
Lentz said that for the 2007-08 application period only, the bill would allocate $44 million for fire company grants and $6 million for ambulance service grants. From next year onward, the grant program would be funded by an annual $25 million allocation from slots gaming revenues.
“We were able to double the grants for one year only because there is currently $25 million on hand in gaming revenue to fund the program with another $25 million to be released on or after July 1, 2007,” Lentz explained. “For the 2008-09 period, the grants would return to $22 million for fire company grants and $3 million for ambulance service grants, as in previous years.”
The direct state grant program provides grants to volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services organizations for the acquisition or upgrading of equipment, the training of volunteers, the construction or renovation of their primary buildings, or the reduction of debt from previous qualified purchases.
Lentz thanked Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairman Anthony Melio, D-Bucks, and Republican Chairman Russell Fairchild, R-Snyder/Union, for their support of the bill.
The bill now goes before the Senate for consideration.
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