More than $450,000 in state gaming funds will benefit 39 local volunteer fire and ambulance providers serving communities in the 125th Legislative District in Berks and Schuylkill counties, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-125) said Jan. 24.
The grants are part of the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Ambulance Service Grant Program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of Fire Commissioner within the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
As part of the grant program, recipients can use the funding to build, repair or renovate a fire company or ambulance service’s primary structure; purchase or repair firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; participate in training seminars and workshops; or pay down the organization’s debt.
‘Our emergency responders are on the front lines when it comes to dangerous situations in our area,’ said Tobash. ‘A lot of times the money they work so hard to raise throughout the year get put back into our communities, leaving each unit with little to make necessary updates they could use to better serve the public. I applaud the stations in our district who took the initiative to get approved for this funding.’
The following fire and emergency medical services serving the 125th District were awarded the following amounts:
Hamburg Volunteer Forest Fire Crew Inc., Hamburg – $12,441.48
Schuylkill Valley Emergency Medical Services, Lessport – $7,091.40
Union Fire Company No. 1, Leesport – $13,619.31
Union Fire Company No. 1, Hamburg – $13,280.70
