Luzerne Times

KINGSTON – Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) has revealed that 20 fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies in Luzerne County have been awarded a total of $317,553.27 in grant funding. The grants aim to support and enhance the operations of these essential emergency services, particularly at the volunteer level.

Kaufer emphasized the significance of these grants, stating, "These grants are critical to assisting our emergency services, especially at the volunteer level, to function efficiently and reliably. These grants are well-deserved and will help our brave first responders with their critically important and dangerous jobs."

The list of local organizations that have received grants and the corresponding award amounts are as follows:

- Back Mountain Regional Fire and EMS (Fire) - $28,201.29

- Back Mountain Regional Fire and EMS (EMS) - $20,000

- Columbian Volunteer Fire Department - $15,590.33

- Exeter Hose Company No. 1 - $13,450.59

- Forty Fort Volunteer Fire Company - $14,812.24

- Harding Fire Company - $14,617.72

- Independent Fire Company No. 1 Inc. - $13,450.59

- Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department of Luzerne County - $13,256.07

- Kingston Fire Department - $15,784.85

- Kingston Firemen’s Community Ambulance Association - $15,000

- Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (Fire) - $14,034.16

- Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (EMS) - $30,000

- Maltby Volunteer Fire Company - $13,061.55

- Mt. Zion Bicentennial Fire Company - $14,034.16

- Shavertown Fire Department - $16,006.77

- Swoyersville Hose Company - $13,256.07

- Trucksville Volunteer EMS Fire and Rescue Association - $13,645.11

- Volunteer Fire Department of Luzerne - $13,256.07

- Wyoming Hose Company No. 1 - $13,839.63

- Wyoming Volunteer Hose Company No. 2 - $13,256.07

These grants will support a range of projects and programs such as facility upgrades, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts.

It is worth noting that fire companies were also given the opportunity to apply for construction savings accounts specifically for the purpose of constructing new facilities.

The administration of the program is handled by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, with the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) overseeing the application process. The final funding amounts are subject to the recipients filing their grant agreements with the OSFC.

For more information, please contact Melissa Fox at 717.260.6522 or mefox@pahousegop.com. Additional updates can be found on Representative Aaron Kaufer's website at RepKaufer.com and on his Facebook page at Facebook.com/RepKaufer.