Matzie announces nearly $200,000 in fire, EMS grants

Rep. Robert Matzie    June 29, 2021 | 5:12 PM

AMBRIDGE, June 29 – Fire and EMS companies in the 16th Legislative District were awarded $197,903 in grant funding to address a wide range of needs, from equipment, building repairs and training to replenishing pandemic-related expenses, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said 15 fire and EMS companies are receiving grants from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner at a critical time.

“The pandemic made working on the frontlines even more difficult than usual, as departments faced shortages while battling new risks and logistical problems,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding should ease a bit of the burden on our tireless first responders by ensuring they have the resources they need to stay safe.”

Matzie said the following grants were awarded:

Ambridge Borough Fire Department – Fire Company, $12,233.
Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $12,411.
Baden Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $15,000.
City of Aliquippa – Fire Company, $13,302.
Conway Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $12,946.
Economy Volunteer Ambulance Service – EMS, $8,855
Economy Volunteer Firemens Association – Fire Company, $14,193.
Freedom Volunteer Fire Department -- Fire Company, $11,520.
Harmony Township Volunteer Firemen Inc. – Fire Company, $14,015.
Hopewell Township Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $12,233.
Leetsdale Fire Department – Fire Company, $11,876.
Monaca No. 1 Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $11,340.
Monaca Volunteer Fire Department No. 4 – Fire Company, $12,411.
Quaker Valley Ambulance Authority – EMS, $8,993.
Rochester Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 – Fire Company, $26,585.

The grants were awarded under the OFC’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program and can be used for facility construction and renovation, purchase or repair of equipment, fuel purchases, member training and certification, public education, recruitment and retention, debt reduction, overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while firefighters are training, and supplementing pandemic-related expenses.

Additional information, including a link to the full list of awardees, is available here.