South Central PA News

Rep. Dan Moul of Adams County has announced that ten fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies in his district will receive state grants through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. The grants total $229,791, which is part of approximately $38 million being distributed statewide by the Office of State Fire Commissioner.

The funding can be used for various purposes including construction or renovation of stations, purchasing or repairing equipment, training, debt reduction, education and public outreach, as well as staff recruitment and retention.

“Over the past couple of decades, the number of volunteer firefighters, EMS and rescue personnel has declined sharply, leaving some communities vulnerable in cases of emergency,” stated Moul. He added that “the General Assembly passed legislation that offers educational benefits, tax breaks and other incentives to encourage more people to volunteer for these critical public safety positions.”

The local grant recipients include:

- Alpha Fire Co. No.1 with $16,107.

- Barlow Vol. Fire Co. receiving $13,310.

- Buchanan Valley Vol. Fire Dept. granted $16,322.

- Cashtown Community Fire Dept. awarded $14,601.

- Fairfield Community Fire Co., which received $14,170.

- Fountaindale Vol. Fire Dept., receiving $12,664.

- Gettysburg Fire Dept., allocated $15,246.

- Greenmount Community Fire Co., granted $12,018.

- SAVES (Southeastern Adams Volunteer Emergency Services) with a substantial amount of $63,031.

- United Hook and Ladder obtained $52,322; this organization is a consolidation of Abbottstown, New Oxford, Bonneauville and Hampton fire companies.

All fire companies along with EMS services and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program funded entirely by state gaming proceeds. Funding amounts depend on recipients filing their grant agreements with the Office of State Fire Commissioner.