Local fire and emergency services receive over $550,000 in state grants

More than 30 Lebanon County fire and EMS services will split more than $550,000 received this year through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program.

The largest local recipients this year are Northern Lebanon Fire and Emergency Services Inc. of Jonestown, which will receive $52,136.55; South Lebanon Fire Company No. 1 of Lebanon and Union Hose Fire Company of Annville, each of which is getting $28,136.55; and North Annville Fire Company, with a grant of $25,044.

Established by the state Legislature, the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Money for the program comes from the proceeds generated by slot machine gaming.

Funds are made available each year for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, public education about fire safety, or reduction of existing debt, according to the State Fire Commissioner’s website.

“I’m very grateful these grants will help our local first responders access the equipment and training they need,” Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) said in a press release. “Our volunteers not only respond to emergencies and complete ongoing training, but they also spend countless hours raising funds. I’m hopeful this funding will ease the financial stress a bit and ensure they can continue protecting our communities safely and effectively.”

“The grants are the local share of about $37 million that is being disbursed statewide,” Rep. John Schlegel (R-101st) said in a separate release. “The funding will help to ensure our local fire companies and emergency medical services providers, will continue to be there for us in our time of emergency.”

“All of us in Lebanon County are incredibly grateful for the tireless work of our first responders who answer the call 24/7,” Rep. Russ Diamond (R-102nd) noted in an additional release. “They are most often volunteers having to fundraise on top of training and responding to incidents, so hopefully these grants will ease the financial stressors a bit.”

Here is a list of local grant recipients and the amount received by each:

• Bunker Hill Fire Company, $12,838.
• Central Medical Ambulance, $15,000.
• Citizens Fire Company No. 1, $16,136.
• Lebanon Fire Dept. – $16,137.
• Community Fire Company of Cornwall Borough – $12,633.
• Ebenezer Fire Company — $12,838
• Fredericksburg Fire Company, $13,869.
• Glenn Lebanon Fire Company – $12,633.
• Goodwill Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.5 – $12,014.
• Independent Fire Company – $12,839.
• Keystone Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, $15,930.
• Kutztown Volunteer Community Fire Company, $12,838.
• Lawn Fire Company — $13,044
• Lebanon Chemical Engine and Insurance Patrol Co. No.1 – $14,282.
• Lebanon Fire Dept. First Aid and Safety Patrol – $15,000.
• Lebanon Hook and Ladder Co. – $12,633.
• Mount Gretna Community Vol. Fire Company – $13,045.
• Mount Zion Community Fire Company, $13,250.
• Myerstown First Aid Unit, $15,000.
• Neptune Fire Company No. 1, $14,075.
• Neversink Fire Company – $13,663.
• Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, for EMS, $15,000.
• Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, for fire service, $13,044.
• North Annville Fire Company, $25,044.
• Northern Lebanon Fire and Emergency Services Inc., $52,136.
• Perseverance Fire Company, $12,014.
• Quentin Vol. Fire Company – $12,014.
• Rescue Hose Co. No.4 – $14,075.
• Rural Security Fire Company – $12,426.
• Schaefferstown Emergency Medical Services, $15,000.
• Schaefferstown Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $13,457.
• South Lebanon Fire Company No.1 – $28,137.
• Speedwell Engine and Hose Co. – $12,426.
• Union Hose Fire Company of Annville, $28,136.
• Union Steam Fire Engine and Hose Co. – $12,426.
• Weavertown Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 — $13,044

The complete list of grant awards in Pennsylvania is available online (PDF).