Luzerne Times

HARRISBURG - In a recent announcement, Rep. Mike Cabell (R-Luzerne) revealed that over $450,000 in funding support has been awarded to thirty fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies in the 117th Legislative District through the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Cabell expressed his gratitude for the dedicated first responders in the local communities, stating, "We are grateful for our dedicated and hard-working first responders who do such a tremendous job serving our local communities. I am pleased so many of them continue to apply for this annual financial support."

The grants are generated from slot machine gaming proceeds and not funded by General Fund tax revenue. The ongoing funding program was established by the General Assembly to provide support for fire and EMS companies across the state.

The list of local grants awarded includes:

- Back Mountain Regional Fire and EMS Inc. received $28,201 for fire services and $20,000 for EMS services.

- Dennison Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 was awarded $13,256.

- Freeland Fire Department received $16,368.

- Freeland Northside Community Ambulance Association was granted $15,000.

- Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Association obtained $13,062 for fire services and $15,000 for EMS services.

- Hobbie Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $13,645 for fire services and $15,000 for EMS services.

- Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $14,423.

- Huntingdon Valley Volunteer Fire Company obtained $13,062.

- Jonathan R. Davis Volunteer Fire Department received $13,256.

- Lake Silkworth Volunteer Fire Company was granted $13,645.

- Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Inc. obtained $13,451.

- Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $13,645.

- Nescopeck Volunteer Fire Company 1 was awarded $13,062.

- Nuangola Volunteer Fire Company obtained $13,062.

- Nuremberg Weston Volunteer Fire Company received $14,423.

- Pond Hill-Lily Lake Ambulance Association was granted $15,000.

- Pond Hill-Lily Lake Volunteer Fire Company received $13,062.

- Salem Township Volunteer Fire Company obtained $27,423.

- Shickshinny Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc. was awarded $15,000.

- Slocum Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $13,256.

- Sugarloaf Fire Company obtained $13,840 for fire services and $10,000 for EMS services.

- Sweet Valley Ambulance Association Inc. was granted $15,000.

- Sweet Valley Volunteer Fire Company received $15,201.

- Valley Regional Fire and Rescue Inc. obtained $14,423 for fire services.

- White Haven Fire Company No. 1 was awarded $14,229.

- White Haven Rescue Unit Inc. received $15,000.

The funding will be utilized for various purposes, including the construction or renovation of fire or ambulance company facilities, purchase or repair of equipment, training, and reduction of existing debt.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency administers the program, and the application process is managed through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). Grant recipients are required to file their grant agreements with OSFC before July 1 to receive the funding.

This funding will undoubtedly provide much-needed support to the fire and EMS companies in the 117th Legislative District, enabling them to continue their essential work in serving and protecting the local communities.