Smith Announces District 66 Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Companies Awarded $278,900 in Critical State Funding

February 15, 2022

PUNXSUTAWNEY – State Rep. Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) announced today that 20 volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout Jefferson and Indiana counties have qualified to receive approximately $278,949 from a grant program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

“Our irreplaceable volunteer fire and ambulance companies face numerous challenges in protecting life and property in our communities and we need to do all we can to support them,” said Smith. “They also must invest a large amount of their time raising funds to ensure they can continue their mission. That’s why I am grateful this flexible grant program exists so that our emergency responders can apply these funds to best meet their local needs.”

Initiated by the PA General Assembly in 2000, this statewide grant program is open to all fire, ambulance and rescue companies 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
• Big Run Area Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Brockway Volunteer Hose Company, $15,000.
• Central Fire Department, $15,000.
• Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Friendship Hose Company No. 1, $15,000.
• Jefferson County EMS, $8,325.
• Lindsey Fire Company, $15,000.
• McCalmont Township Volunteer Fire Company, $14,940.
• Oliver Township Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Reynoldsville Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Reynoldsville Ambulance Service, $7,608.
• Ringgold Area Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Sigel Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000.
• Sykesville Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Sykesville Ambulance Service, $8,075.

Indiana County
• Commodore Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000.
• Glen Campbell Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.
• Marion Center Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000.
• Plumville District Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000.
• Rossiter Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.

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.

Representative Brian Smith
66th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: 814-938-4225
RepSmith.com / Facebook.com/RepBrianSmith