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For Immediate
Release
1/30/07
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Senate Committee Approves Legislation
To Extend Volunteer Fire, Ambulance Grants
HARRISBURG – Legislation
to extend the state's $25 million Volunteer Fire
Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program
through 2007 was approved today by the Senate Veterans
Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee,
according to Committee Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne).
"Our volunteer fire and ambulance companies are the
very first line of defense and assistance for our
citizens in a wide variety of circumstances. Their
work in our communities is critical, difficult and
often dangerous, and they are doing this as
volunteers. Many of Pennsylvania's volunteer fire
companies struggle to meet the rising costs of
equipment and training, and face serious recruiting
problems," Baker said. "This important grant program
will help them more easily make ends meet, so they can
focus on protecting our communities and spend less
time on fundraising."
This program, established in 2000, provides volunteer
fire companies with grants of up to $15,000 and
volunteer ambulance and rescue services with grants of
up to $10,000 for construction and renovation of fire
houses; the purchase or repair of equipment; and debt
reduction. Pennsylvania is home to approximately
2,460 volunteer fire companies.
Under the legislation, fire companies would have until
April to apply for grants, which would be awarded by
the end of June.
"We want to get this money out to our volunteers as
soon as possible," Baker said. "These men and women
provide a tremendous service to our communities and
they deserve our support."
The grant program is administered by the Office of the
State Fire Commissioner under the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency. PEMA also coordinates the
state's successful Volunteer Loan Assistance Program,
which helps volunteer companies offset the high cost
of equipment and construction by providing them with
low-interest loans.
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