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BETHLEHEM (May 4) -
State Senator Lisa M.
Boscola (D-18) today reminded local
volunteer fire departments and EMS
companies that they have until June
9th to apply for funding
for 2005-06 through the Volunteer
Fire Company/Volunteer Ambulance
Service grant program administered
through State Fire Commissioner
Edward Mann’s office.
“Volunteer fire
fighters and first responders often
spend more time raising money than
they do responding to emergencies,” Boscola said. “At a time when they
are being asked to assume more
responsibilities for Homeland
Security, it is very difficult for
our local VFDs and ambulance
companies to raise all the funds
that are needed on their own. We
need to find more state programs,
such as this one, to help support
them.”
The $25-million
Volunteer Fire Company, Volunteer
Ambulance Service Grant Program is
designed to assist volunteer fire,
ambulance, and emergency services
pay for various aspects of their
operations, including facility
upgrades/repairs and equipment
purchasing.
Boscola, who has
secured numerous grants for area
fire and rescue companies on her
own, strongly supported the creation
of the Volunteer Fire Company Grant
Program to direct more state funding
to volunteer first responders.
"I would hope that every local
department applies and takes
advantage of this program,” Boscola
said. “It is programs like these
that allow our emergency services to
more effectively serve our
communities.”
Grants range from $2,500 to no more
than $15,000 per volunteer fire
company applicant, or more than
$10,000 per volunteer ambulance
service, unless the applicant is
comprised of two groups that had
previously merged.
Funds may be applied
towards the purchase or repair of
fire and ambulance equipment;
construction or renovation of a fire
company's primary facility to
maintain or improve the capability
of the company to provide fire,
ambulance and rescue services; debt
reduction on previously completed
eligible projects; or training and
certification of members. Projects
initiated after July 1, 2005, and
completed prior to disbursement of
grant program funds may be
considered as eligible projects for
the current grant year.
For additional
information about the Volunteer Fire
Company Grant Program program,
contact Senator Boscola’s office
toll free at 1-877-535-1818, or
visit the website of the Office of
the State Fire Commissioner at
http://www.osfc.state.pa.us.
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