By MEGAN TOMASIC

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH (TNS) — Gov. Josh Shapiro, more than a week after the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence was set on fire, called for more funding and programs for firefighters statewide.

While standing in the bay of the Mount Lebanon Fire Department surrounded by dozens of firefighters and two fire trucks, Shapiro touted his three-part plan laid out in his February budget proposal — create a new $30 million competitive grant program, establish a program to help fire companies better collaborate and cover annual cancer screenings for firefighters.

“This past weekend my family and I experienced what it’s like to be rushed away from a fire while you see heroes rushing in in order to put out a fire and save lives,” Shapiro said of last Sunday’s fire in which police say the suspect, Cody Balmer, armed with homemade incendiary devices broke into the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence and set fire in a room Shapiro’s family had used to celebrate the beginning of Passover just hours earlier.

“That served as a reminder,” Shapiro said, “that firefighters go out every single day to put out fires, not just for governors, first ladies and first families, but for every Pennsylvanian, here in Mount Lebanon and all across this great Commonwealth. We’re profoundly grateful to you.”

Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg turned himself in following the fire. He is charged with attempted homicide, arson and terrorism.

The incident has led to an outpouring from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers condemning the violence including President Donald Trump who spoke with Shapiro by phone Saturday, the governor confirmed.

“We spoke for quite a bit of time,” Shapiro said of the call with Trump. “He called to share his warm regards with me and Lori [Shapiro] and our family. I appreciated his call very much and we agreed to stay in touch.”

Shapiro planned to return to the home Tuesday to host an Easter egg hunt and resume welcoming people to the home later this week.

Now Shapiro is using the experience to push for more state funding for firefighters.

The $30 million competitive grant program would help fire companies purchase equipment, recruit and retain firefighters and meet unique local needs. The grants would build on $30 million that is already distributed to fire companies each year.

Shapiro also called for creating a pilot program to help municipal fire companies work together and share resources while pushing for the state to cover annual cancer screenings for firefighters because of chemical exposures and health risks they face on the job.

The proposals were met with applause from the audience of first responders and several area lawmakers who attended the event including Lt. Gov. Austin Davis; U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall; Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline; Rep. Dan Miller, D-Mt. Lebanon; Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny; and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato.

The proposal would build on investments made in other budgets under Shapiro.

The 2024-25 budget included $37.5 million in grants for local fire and EMS departments to support equipment, training, facility upgrades and operational costs. Officials also previously voted to increase the 911 surcharge from $1.65 to $1.95, which increased emergency funding for 61 emergency call centers across the state.

Salisbury, who applauded the latest budget proposal, pointed to fish fries that dominate the region during Lenten season.

“It is ridiculous to imagine that these essential providers of first responder services in Allegheny County, some of their ability to provide us with lifesaving services is contingent on how delicious their fried fish is,” Salisbury said. “It’s a shame.”

Innamorato added that she hears from first responders struggling to fill essential roles, “so we need to put our money where our mouth is and we need to actually invest in our public safety infrastructure and make sure we keep everybody safe.”

Mt. Lebanon Fire Chief Kurt Christofel touted the fire department he has served in since 2011, noting that the 18 career officers and 50 volunteers serve 34,000 residents and respond to 2,200 calls per year. He pointed to past state grants that were used to build a new fire training facility, where firefighters study fire behavior and practice real-world training scenarios.

But now, the fire service statewide is struggling. Christofel said the demand for fire emergency services continues to increase while the number of firefighters statewide decreases.

Since 2000, the number of volunteer firefighters in the state dropped from 60,000 to 38,000 by 2023, FireRescue1 reported, citing the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute.

Christofel also pointed to inflation, which has driven up the cost of fire engineers, gear and fire hoses, something the proposed grants would help with.

Christofel and Ralph Sicuro, president of the Pittsburgh Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1 also touted the proposal to increase health screenings for firefighters who face cancer risks.

“Gov. Shapiro’s proposed cancer screenings will save lives,” Sicuro said. “Through early detection and treatment you will not only improve the survival rate but you will also be able to return many of these firefighters back to serving the communities they love.”

Legislators will begin negotiating the key points within Shapiro’s budget proposal. They have a June 30 budget deadline.

“You’re obviously on the front lines every day,” Shapiro said. “You deserve to have a government that works with you and for you every day. You have that here in Pennsylvania.”