Smith Announces District 66 Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Companies Awarded $269,700 in Critical State Funding
BROOKVILLE – State Rep. Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) announced today that 23 volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout Jefferson and Indiana counties have qualified to receive approximately $269,762 from a grant program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
“Especially during times of crisis, this funding helps ease the financial burden our local fire and ambulance companies are constantly struggling with to remain viable,” said Smith. “Whether it’s saving lives, protecting property, fundraising or recruiting new volunteers, few duties are more essential than those that our emergency first responders selflessly perform 365 days a year and around the clock to keep our communities safe. This is the least our state can do to help ensure this exceptional emergency coverage continues here at home in the 66th District and across the Commonwealth.”
All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue. Projects eligible for funding include recruitment and retention, construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, reduction of existing debt, or replacing lost proceeds due to COVID fundraising limitations.
Following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies serving the 66th District and the amount of their grant awards:
Jefferson County
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Big Run Area Volunteer Fire Company, $12,589.
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Brockway Volunteer Hose Company, $12,946.
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Brookville Volunteer Fire Company, $11,520.
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Central Fire Department, $12,411.
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Friendship Hose Company No. 1, $11,698.
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Jefferson County EMS, $8,993.
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Lindsey Fire Company, $13,837.
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McCalmont Township Volunteer Fire Company, $12,946.
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Oliver Township Volunteer Fire Company, $11,520.
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Perry Township Volunteer Fire Company, $11,698.
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Pine Creek Township Volunteer Firemen’s Association, $11,520.
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Reynoldsville Volunteer Fire Company, $12,589.
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Reynoldsville Ambulance Service, $7,655.
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Ringgold Area Volunteer Fire Company, $11,520.
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Sigel Volunteer Fire Department, $11,698.
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Summerville Volunteer Firemen’s Association, $11,520.
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Sykesville Volunteer Fire Company, $14,015.
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Sykesville Ambulance Service, $8,993.
Indiana County
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Commodore Volunteer Fire Department, $12,589.
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Glen Campbell Volunteer Fire Company, $11,520.
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Marion Center Volunteer Fire Department, $12,054.
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Plumville District Volunteer Fire Department, $12,411.
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Rossiter Volunteer Fire Company, $11,520.
To receive a grant award, organizations must first apply and then complete a grant agreement. More information about these grants and other financial support programs for the state’s fire and EMS companies is available at www.osfc.pa.gov.
The 66th Legislative District includes all of Jefferson County and the Indiana County communities of Banks, Canoe, East Mahoning, Grant, Green, Montgomery, North Mahoning, Rayne, South Mahoning and West Mahoning townships and Cherry Tree, Ernest, Glen Campbell, Marion Center, Plumville and Smicksburg boroughs.