Area Fire, Ambulance Companies Receive State Grants, James Says

January 21, 2020

HARRISBURG – Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) announced numerous local fire companies and EMS agencies were awarded state grants totaling more than $328,000 from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC).

The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and OSFC. All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming and not General Fund tax revenue.

“The men and women who run our fire departments and EMS teams give their time to ensure our safety in the most stressful, life-changing moments. As funding is limited, more of a burden is placed on them to fundraise so the department can buy the equipment it needs,” James said. “These grants will alleviate some of the pressure so they can focus on the critical task of saving lives.”

All fire and rescue departments must be actively reporting to PennFIRS to be eligible to receive this grant. If this requirement is not met, they will not receive their 2019-20 grant funds. To be compliant, the organization must report all incidents using PennFIRS, from Jan. 1, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2020. This information must be entered into PennFIRS and reported to OSFC by Friday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m.

Below is the list of local fire companies and EMS squads and the amount they received:

Butler County

• Bruin Volunteer Fire Department: $12,878.74.
• Eau Claire Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association: $12,467.96.
• North Washington Volunteer Fire Department: $12,467.96.

Venango County

• Chapmanville Volunteer Fire Department: $11,783.31.
• Cherrytree Township Volunteer Fire Department: $11,646.38.
• City of Franklin Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service: $9,192.44.
• City of Franklin Fire Department, Fire Company: $14,111.10.
• Community Ambulance Service Inc.: $9,192.44.
• Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department: $12,467.96.
• Cornplanter Volunteer Fire Company: $13,289.53.
• Cornplanter Volunteer Fire Company, Emergency Medical Service: $9,192.44.
• Emlenton Area Ambulance Service: $9,192.44.
• Emlenton Volunteer Firemans Association: $12,057.17.
• Oakland Volunteer Fire Department: $11,783.31.
• Oil City Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service: $8,456.32.
• Oil City Fire Department, Fire Company: $13,974.17.
• Pine Grove Township Fire Department: $11,783.31.
• Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department: $11,646.38.
• Polk Fire Rescue Inc.: $12,467.96.
• President Township Volunteer Fire Department: $11,920.24.
• Reno Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Company: $11,783.31.
• Reno Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service: $9,192.44.
• Rockland Township Volunteer Fire Department: $11,783.31.
• Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department: $13,152.60.
• Rouseville Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association: $12,194.10.
• Sandycreek Township Volunteer Fire Department: $13,289.53.
• Seneca Volunteer Fire Department: $13,152.60.
• Utica Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association: $12,194.10.

Representative Lee James
64th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
RepJames.com / Facebook.com/RepLeeJames