Sappey announces more than $186K awarded to fire and EMS companies

HARRISBURG, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, announced today $186,600.40 in Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants.

“These are challenging times for our first responders. Many of our local fire and EMS organizations are understaffed and underfunded,” Sappey said. “Grants like these help our emergency crews remain properly trained and equipped. I am very pleased that we can provide funding to those dedicated to keeping us safe.”

The grants were awarded to the following local fire and rescue departments:

  • Avondale Fire Company: $15,000.
  • Avondale Fire Company EMS Division Inc: $8,325.05.
  • First West Chester Fire Company: $15,000.
  • Good Fellowship Club of Chester County Inc: $8,325.05.
  • Goshen Fire Co: $15,000.00 (Fire) $8,325.05 (EMS).
  • Kennett Fire Company No 1: $15,000.
  • Longwood Fire Co: $15,000 (Fire) $8,325.05 (EMS).
  • Po Mar Lin Fire Company: $15,000.
  • Southern Chester County Emergency Medical Services: $8,325.05.
  • West Bradford Fire Company: $15,000.
  • West Grove Fire Company: $15,000 (Fire) and $8,325.05 (EMS).

These grants are administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and can be used for facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training, education and public outreach, recruitment and retention, construction savings account, overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while firefighters are attending training (career departments only) and revenue loss due to COVID-19 impacts.

All fire companies, emergency medical service and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program.

A full list of fire and EMS companies awarded grants this year statewide is available here.

The announcement came during the same week Act 10 unanimously passed the state House and was enacted by the Governor. It released $25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to help EMS.