HARRISBURG, April 20 -- State Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong/Indiana, said 25 fire and ambulance companies in the 55th Legislative District are sharing $327,234 in state grants.
The grants are from Pennsylvania's Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program and were awarded in February. In all, 2,538 grants were awarded statewide. The grants are funded from gaming revenue and property tax relief funding.
"Our fire departments and emergency service providers often spend countless hours fundraising to ensure their equipment and training are up to date so they can help keep us safe," Petrarca said. "These grants are a vital source of funding, which helps them focus on their service to their communities."
Grant recipients and amounts awarded in the 55th District are as follows:
Armstrong County
Apollo Volunteer Fire Dept. Hose Co. No. 2 -- $12,195
Apollo Volunteer Fire Dept. Hose Co. No. 3 -- $11,967
Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. -- $11,511
Lower Kiski Ambulance Service Inc. -- $12,650
Parks Township Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $11,511
Indiana County
Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $12,422
Westmoreland County
Avonmore Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $11,511
Bell Township Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $12,195
Derry Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $11,739
Derry Township Volunteer Fire Dept. No. 1 of Bradenville -- $12,195
Freewill Volunteer Hose Co. No. 3 and 4, Latrobe -- $11,511
George G. McMurtry Fire Dept. Vandergrift No. 1 -- $13,789
Good Friends Hose Co. No. 5, Latrobe -- $11,511
Goodwill Hose Co. No. 1, Latrobe -- $11,511
Hook & Ladder Co. 2 Latrobe Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $11,967 for the fire company; $6,949 for EMS
Hyde Park Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $12,878
Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $13,789
New Alexandria Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $11,967
Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Dept. 1 -- $12,195 for the fire company; $7,201 for EMS
Rough Terrain Support Unit, Latrobe -- $13,789
Vandergrift Fire Dept. No. 2 -- $11,391 for the fire company; $7,201 for EMS
Washington Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 of Westmoreland County -- $12,650
West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. -- $11,511
Whitney Hostetter Volunteer Fire Dept. -- $11,739
Youngstown Volunteer Fire Dept. and Relief Association -- $13,789
Grants can be used toward repairing, building or renovating facilities. Grant money also can be applied toward the purchase of new equipment, training and certification of staff, or it may go to repay debt related to equipment purchases or facility building and maintenance.
The grant program is due to expire June 30, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. The House recently approved a bill to extend the program for another four years. Petrarca voted for the bill, which has been sent to the Senate for consideration.
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