Burns announces nearly $322,000 in state grants to 28 fire companies, EMS providers

Rep. Frank Burns    April 21, 2016 | 2:28 PM

EBENSBURG, April 21 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, announced that 28 fire and ambulance companies in the 72nd Legislative District are receiving nearly $322,000 in state grants to aid their operations.

“As someone who suited up to personally sample first responder training at the Cambria County Fire School, I can attest to the hard, dangerous and precise work our firefighters and EMS providers engage in every day,” Burns said. “These state grants will help them to continue to provide the high-level services that benefit our communities.”

The grants are made possible by the Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, which is funded by gaming revenue. With the grant program set to expire on June 30, the House recently voted unanimously for H.B. 1877, which would extend the program for four years. The bill passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.

Grants can be used toward repairing, building or renovating facilities. The money also can be applied toward purchasing equipment, training and certification of staff, or it may go to repay debt related to equipment purchases or facility building and maintenance.

Organizations in the 72nd Legislative District receiving grants are:

Portage Area Ambulance Association, $4,097;

Ebensburg Area Ambulance Association, $7,201;

Forest Hills Area Ambulance Association Inc., $7,201;

Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Co., $7,201;

John Carroll Area Ambulance Service, $7,201;

Patton Area Ambulance Association Inc., $7,201;

Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Co., $7,201;

Cresson Area Ambulance Service Inc., $10,081;

Reade Township Volunteer Fire Co., $11,511;

Cresson Volunteer Fire Co., $11,739;

Carrolltown Fire Co., $11,967;

Loretto Fire Co., $12,194;

Lower Yoder Township Volunteer Fire Co., $12,878;

South Fork Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, $12,878;

Summerhill Borough Volunteer Fire Co., $13,106;

Revloc Volunteer Fire Co., $13,334;

Cambria Township Volunteer Fire Co., $13,561;

East Taylor Volunteer Fire Co., $13,561;

Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Co., $13,561;

Ashville Fire Co., $13,789;

Community Volunteer Fire Co. of Lilly, $13,789;

Dauntless Fire Co., $13,789;

Gallitzin Fire Co. No. 1, $13,789;

Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Co., $13,789;

Middle Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Co., $13,789;

Patton Fire Co. No. 1, $13,789;

Portage Vol Fire Co., $13,789; and

Westwood Volunteer Fire Co., $13,789.

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