Kulik: Fire and EMS loan program now accepting applications

Low-interest loans can be used for vehicles, facilities, and equipment

CORAOPOLIS, March 14 – Local fire and emergency medical service companies may be eligible for low-interest loans for vehicles, facilities and equipment, according to state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny.

“This program is an important resource for first responders locally and across the commonwealth at a time when it’s been difficult for companies to raise funding to help them continue their efforts in answering the call,” Kulik said. “I encourage fire and EMS companies to look into this loan program to see if it could be beneficial to their operations.”

The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program is open for applications on a rolling basis. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner provides loans ranging from $25,000 to $400,000 at a fixed 2% interest rate with varying repayment terms to eligible fire and EMS companies. A single fire or EMS company is not eligible for more than three loans at a time.

Since the establishment of the FEMSLP, it has provided more than $500 million in loans. Last year, voters approved an expansion of the program to make paid and combination companies eligible for the loans in addition to volunteer fire and EMS companies.

Application information is available on the Office of the State Fire Commissioner website at this link: https://www.osfc.pa.gov/GrantsandLoans/FEMSLP/Pages/default.aspx. Questions can be directed to OSFC staff at RA-VLAP@pa.gov or 717-651-2200.