Twelve volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout western Montgomery County have qualified to receive $160,185 in state grants, according to state Rep. Marcy Toepel, R-147th Dist.
The grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
“The busy times in which we live prevent most of us from volunteering in such a dedicated and meaningful way, and it doesn’t make sense to further burden our volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel who are already working so hard,” Toepel said. “These grants help to finance necessary equipment, which minimizes the time volunteers must spend fundraising – which is often the reason volunteers leave.”
All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt.
Following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies and the amount of their grant awards:
* Gilbertsville Area Community Ambulance Service, $7,037.
* Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue Company, $14,308.
* Green Lane Fire Company, $11,912.
* Harleysville Area Emergency Medical Service Inc., $7,037.
* Harleysville Community Fire Company, $14,492.
* Lower Frederick Fire Company, $15,000.
* New Hanover Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, $26,729.
* West End Fire Company No. 1, $14,492.
* Plymouth Community Ambulance Association (including Lower Frederick Ambulance), $7,037.
* Upper Frederick Fire Company, $13,939.
* Upper Pottsgrove Township Fire Company No. 1, $15,000.
* Upper Salford Volunteer Fire Company, $13,202.
