- Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2020 19:40
Fayette and Washington counties’ fire and EMS companies, represented by Rep. Bud Cook, each received 25 one-time state grants to assist with extra expenses resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
A total of $50 million was made available through the Office of State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) to provide direct financial relief to first responders in Pennsylvania impacted by the pandemic. These funds are to be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of opportunities for fundraising and inability to create revenue due to compliance with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Fire and EMS services are critical to the health and safety of every community,” said Cook. “I’m thrilled these grants are being distributed to help our heroes. I hope it can help ease the financial burden they’ve faced this year.”
The following fire and ambulance companies in 49th district submitted applications and received funding:
- Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Department - $24,794.
- Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department - $22,877.
- Brownsville Ambulance Service Inc. - $15,048.
- California Volunteer Fire Department - $23,425.
- Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department - $24,384.
- Cokeburg Volunteer Fire Company - $22,877.
- Donora Fire Company - $23,014.
- Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Company Inc. - $22,603.
- Fallowfield Township Volunteer Fire Company - $23,973.
- Fayette City Volunteer Fire Company - $22,877.
- Fayette EMS - $15,048.
- Flatwoods Volunteer Fire Department - $23,094.
- Grindstone Community Volunteer Fire Company - $22,603.
- Lock No. Four Volunteer Fire Company - $24,520.
- Marianna Volunteer Fire Company - $22,740.
- New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department - $22,877.
- Newell Volunteer Fire Company - $22,603.
- Roscoe Volunteer Fire Company Inc.- $23,425.
- Smock Volunteer Fire Department - $24,520.
- Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department - $34,651.
- Tri-Community Ambulance - $15,048.
- Valley Inn Volunteer Fire Department- $23,288.
- Volunteer Fire Department of Carroll Township - $24,794.
- Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company - $11,094.
- West Brownsville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1- $22,603.
Legislation creating the COVID-19 Crisis Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program was passed unanimously by the General Assembly in May with funding support through the federal CARES Act. As stated in Act 26 of 2020, the money must be used for eligible expenses, including utilities, insurance, apparatus repairs, fuel, personal protective equipment, lost revenues due to pandemic restrictions, and the sanitizing of equipment and property.