Kinkead announces $109.5K in grants awarded to area volunteer fire, EMS companies

HARRISBURG, June 30 - State Rep. Emily Kinkead today announced a total of $109,503 in grants have been awarded to local fire and emergency medical services companies.

Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said the funding originates from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, which is overseen by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. This annual program provides funding for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads.

My dad served the City of Pittsburgh as a paramedic and so our local fire and EMS companies will always have a special place in my heart. Our first responders run in when everyone else runs out and that has never been more obvious than during the COVID-19 pandemic. But this pandemic has taken a serious toll on the very people who serve as our first line of defense,” said Kinkead. “These funds are a small but important investment to ensure that they can continue to answer the call.”

The grants awarded are as follows: 

City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (EMS): $8,993.
City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire: $14,999.
Fairview Volunteer Fire Department: $12,054.
Keating Fire Company: $12,054.
Quaill District Firemen’s Association: $12,054.
Ross West View EMS: $8,993.
Ross West View Fire Company: $15,000.
West View Volunteer Fire Department Company #1: $13,302.
West View Volunteer Fire Company #3: $12,054.

Eligible organizations can use the funds for facilities and equipment, debt reduction, training and education, recruitment and retention, and to supplement operational expenses incurred by lack of opportunity for fundraising and inability to create revenue due to compliance with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

More information can be found by clicking here.