Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, announced more than $445,000 in grants for fire companies and emergency response agencies in McKean, Cameron and Potter counties Wednesday.
The City of Bradford Fire Department received funds for both fire company and EMS operations, totalling over $23,000 ($8,993.20 for EMS; $14,550.44 for fire). Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and Port Allegany Fire Department each received $14,906.94, while Smethport Fire Department received $12,411.47, Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department received $12,054.98 and Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department received $12,233.23.
Other companies in McKean County received amounts ranging from $11,000 to $8,000, including: Eldred Borough Volunteer Fire Department ($8,993.20 for EMS operations; $11,520.24 for fire company operations), Eldred Township Volunteer Fire Department ($11,698.48), Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department, Cyclone ($11,698.48), Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Kane ($11,698.48), Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department ($11,876.73),
Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department ($11,520.24), and Rew Volunteer Fire Department ($11,876.73).
Mount Jewett Fire Department received $11,520.24, Norwich Township Volunteer Fire Department, Crosby received $11,520.24, Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department received $8,543.70 for EMS operations and $11,520.24 for fire company operations, while Mount Jewett Area Ambulance Association and Port Area Ambulance Service each received $8,993.20.
“Our fire and EMS companies across the state, and especially in rural areas like ours, are struggling financially and these grants go a long way toward helping to meet their needs,” Causer said. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who work so hard to protect our communities, and I am pleased we can continue to support them with this valuable funding.”
In Cameron County, Emporium Fire Department Inc. received $11,520.24 and Mountaineer Search and Rescue received $11,520.24.
In Potter County, Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department received $14,372.20, Tri-town Fire Company in Ulysses received $12,946.22, Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company received $12,946.22, and Goodyear Hose Company No. 1 Inc. received $12,054.98.
Austin Volunteer Fire Department received $12,767.97 and Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department received $12,054.98 for fire company operations. Roulette Chemical Engine No. 1 Inc. received $11,876.73, while Genesee Volunteer Fire Department Inc. received $11,520.24 for fire company operations. Each of the four companies also received $8,993.20 for EMS operations.
Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1 received $11,520.24, Germania Fire Company received $11,235, Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association received $8,993.20,
Gale Hose Company No. 1 Inc. EMS received $8,993.20 and Kettle Creek Ambulance Association received $3,342.08.
This funding is intended to assist with construction or renovation of a facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. In addition, this year the funding can be used to offset the revenue loss experienced by the fire companies due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions that limited fundraising opportunities.
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue.
Since its inception, the program has provided approximately $7.4 million in funding to fire and ambulance companies in the three-county area.
