Local fire departments to benefit from $19,132 in grant funding for wildfire protection
Rep. Frank Burns August 18, 2021 | 11:37 AM
HARRISBURG, Aug. 18 – State Rep. Frank Burns announced today that five local fire departments received state grants to support their communities with increased protection from wildfires.
“Smaller communities, especially rural areas, deal with the same fire dangers larger cities have, such as building fires and vehicle accidents, but they also have to be prepared to handle brush and forest fires,” Burns said. “These grants are designed to help make sure those departments are prepared and trained to battle these types of potentially deadly situations.”
The departments receiving funding within the 72nd District:
• Ashville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 -- $1,600.
• Carrolltown Fire Co. -- $4,480.
• East Taylor Volunteer Fire Co. -- $665.
• Gallitzin Fire Co. No. 1 -- $10,000.
• Loretto Fire Co. -- $2,387.
The Rural Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Grant program, awarded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources from federal grants from the U.S. Agriculture Department, helps local departments in rural areas and communities with fewer than 10,000 people. Funding may be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. The grants were awarded on a cost-share basis, with the maximum grant being $10,000, not to exceed 50% of the entity’s actual expenditures.