McNeill: Bill brings much needed aid to volunteer fire, EMS companies statewide

Rep. Jeanne McNeill    May 28, 2020 | 6:09 PM

WHITEHALL, May 28 – State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, joined her colleagues in unanimous passage of S.B. 1122 to provide one-time crisis grants to each volunteer fire and emergency medical services company across the state to assist in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

McNeill said the bill, which now heads to the governor’s desk for a signature, would establish the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, setting aside $50 million in federal CARES funding for fire and EMS companies to provide services during the coronavirus pandemic. Forty-four million dollars of the funds would be used for grants to fire companies, with the remaining $6 million to be used for grants for EMS companies.

“These volunteers and the companies they run in our communities need this funding now more than ever,” McNeill said. “They have, and continue to be, on the front lines throughout this pandemic and responsive to any immediate need. Without the ability to generate the operating revenues as they have in the past, this funding is vital to ensuring these men and women are getting the financial support at a time it’s desperately needed.”

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