Burns: State grants available for volunteer fire companies

Program to help fund training, equipment to battle wildfires

EBENSBURG, March 25 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, urges local volunteer fire companies to consider applying for a newly opened state grant program that will help fund training and equipment to battle wildfires.

Long a support of volunteer companies -- last year he authored legislation to ensure emergency COVID-19 grants were available to every department -- Burns has helped local fire and EMS companies secure more than $4 million in state grants.

“I know how hard our volunteers work and the difficulties they face in funding for training and equipment,” Burns said. “That’s why I want to make sure our local companies are aware that there are state programs available to help.”

The grant program information:

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

Who Can Apply: Rural or volunteer fire departments that serve communities with fewer than 10,000 people. Program priority is unprotected or inadequately protected rural areas.

Use: Equipment and training to prevent and control wildfires in rural areas. Priority is projects that include the purchase of wildland fire suppression equipment and wildland fire protective gear.

Funds: This is a cost-share program. The maximum grant for 2021 is $10,000.

Application Deadline: May 13

More Information: Click https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire/VolunteerFireDepartmentResources/Pages/default.aspx.