Burns: State grants available for volunteer fire companies
Program to help fund training, equipment to battle wildfires
Rep. Frank Burns March 25, 2021 | 11:19 AM
EBENSBURG, March 25 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, urges local volunteer fire companies to consider applying for a newly opened state grant program that will help fund training and equipment to battle wildfires.
Long a support of volunteer companies -- last year he authored legislation to ensure emergency COVID-19 grants were available to every department -- Burns has helped local fire and EMS companies secure more than $4 million in state grants.
“I know how hard our volunteers work and the difficulties they face in funding for training and equipment,” Burns said. “That’s why I want to make sure our local companies are aware that there are state programs available to help.”
The grant program information:
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant
Who Can Apply: Rural or volunteer fire departments that serve communities with fewer than 10,000 people. Program priority is unprotected or inadequately protected rural areas.
Use: Equipment and training to prevent and control wildfires in rural areas. Priority is projects that include the purchase of wildland fire suppression equipment and wildland fire protective gear.
Funds: This is a cost-share program. The maximum grant for 2021 is $10,000.
Application Deadline: May 13
More Information: Click https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire/VolunteerFireDepartmentResources/Pages/default.aspx.