Harkins, Merski congratulate local fire, EMS companies on grants
Grants can be used to fund equipment, training and recruitment
Rep. Patrick J. Harkins February 6, 2023 | 12:40 PM
ERIE, Feb. 3 – State Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins today congratulated local fire and EMS companies who were selected to receive more than $240,000 in state funding.
“This funding is going to help ensure our first responders have the equipment and training they need to stay safe and continue their lifesaving work,” Merski said. “Funding can be extremely tight for departments, and I am glad we were able to secure these dollars to get more resources into the hands of those who protect us.”
Harkins said, “Our firefighters put their lives on the line for us every single day, and the work can be extremely stressful and dangerous. It’s my hope that this funding will make their work just a little safer.”
Grants awarded locally included:
Department Fire / EMS City Awarded Amount
Belle Valley Fire Dept. Fire Erie $14,317.55
Brookside Vol. Fire Co. Fire Erie $14,317.55
Brookside Vol. Fire Co. EMS Erie $10,000
City of Erie Fire Dept. Fire Erie $15,000
Emergycare Inc. EMS Erie $10,000
Kearsarge Fire Dept. Fire Erie $13,826.29
Kuhl Hose Company Inc. EMS Erie $10,000
uhl Hose Company Inc. Fire Erie $15,000
Lake Shore Fire Dept. EMS Erie $3,000
Lake Shore Fire Dept. Fire Erie $12,598.14
Lawrence Park Vol. Fire Fire Erie $12,106.88
Lawrence Park Vol. Fire EMS Erie $10,000
Perry Hi-Way Hose Co. Fire Erie $15,000
Perry Hi-Way Hose Co. EMS Erie $10,000
Wesleyville Hose Co. Fire Erie $11,861.25
Wesleyville Hose Co. EMS Erie $10,000
West Lake Fire Dept. Fire Erie $15,000
West Ridge Fire Dept. Fire Erie $15,000
Harborcreek Fire Dept. EMS Harborcreek $10,000
Harborcreek Fire Dept. Fire Harborcreek $14,071.92
The Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program is administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner and makes an annual grant program available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads.
Eligible projects in accordance with the 2022-23 program include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, fire companies were permitted to apply for constructions savings accounts for the purposes of new facility construction.
All fire companies, emergency medical service, and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program.
A full list of awardees can be found here.