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61 Fire, EMS Companies in Berks to Receive Grants

Jun 05, 2020

HARRISBURG – 61 Berks County fire departments and EMS companies will soon be receiving grants from the annual Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, according to Senator David G. Argall, Representative Barry Jozwiak, and Representative Jerry Knowles.  This program, facilitated by the Office of the State Fire Commission, provides funding to local first responders across the state for eligible projects.  These grants could go towards facility upgrades, new equipment purchases, or training for new recruits, as well as other projects to help assure the preparedness of our first responders.

“Our brave first responders have put themselves on the line for our safety even more than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Argall.  “These grants are well-deserved, and I am thankful that so many local companies will benefit from this program.”

“In addition to all of the important, life-saving work they traditionally perform, Berks County’s first responders also are serving on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19,” Jozwiak said.  “These grants will provide Berks County first responders with some of the tools they need to perform their jobs and serve our communities.  These grants are an investment in the safety and security of Berks County families.”

“We cannot combat the COVID-19 pandemic without getting these first responders the tools they need to respond to this crisis,” said Knowles. “They often struggle to raise the necessary funds they need to stay in operation. It gives me great satisfaction to know that we are able to provide financial support to our local fire and ambulance companies so they can continue their life-saving services to our communities.”

A list of the Berks Companies awarded grants is below.

Legislation was recently signed into law that would provide an additional $50 million in grants to assist fire and EMS companies with costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Pittman (R-41), would appropriate money from the federal CARES act to the same fire and EMS companies that were eligible to receive funding from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program.

Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Office of State Fire Commissioner will be working to enact the legislation to provide direct financial relief to fire and emergency medical service (EMS) companies negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

“Since we began taking action to curtail the spread of COVID-19, our state’s fire and EMS companies have seen record-breaking call volume and fewer opportunities to raise funds,” Gov. Wolf said. “These grants will go a long way to support their heroic efforts amid a very difficult public health crisis that has created a financial burden for many of these companies.”

“It has become a struggle just to keep the lights on for far too many of the companies that protect our communities,” State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego said. “I am pleased that our office can help get these funds out to the companies most in need.”

Of the $50 million in funding set aside for this new program, $44 million will be made available to fire and rescue companies and the remaining $6 million will go to EMS companies. Though the legislation took immediate effect, the Office of State Fire Commissioner must now establish the protocols for application, review and disbursement of grant funds.

In the coming weeks, detailed information about the program and instructions on how to apply will be available online at the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s website. Companies are advised to check back regularly for updated information.

Berks Fire & EMS Companies Receiving Grants

Amity Fire Company
Bally Community Ambulance Assoc
Berks Emergency Strike Team
Bernville Community Fire Company
Bethel Community Ambulance
Birdsboro-Union Fire Department
Blandon Fire Company No 1
Boyertown Area Fire & Rescue Inc
Brecknock Township Fire Company No 1
Central Berks Fire Company
Central Fire Co #1 of Laureldale
City of Reading Dept of Fire and Rescue Services
Community Fire Co of Frystown
Community Fire Co of Seisholtzville
Community Fire Company Virginville
Cumru Township Volunteer Firefighters Association
Earl Township Volunteer Fire Co 1
Eastern Berks Fire Department
Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department
Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Co No 1
Friendship Fire Company 2 of Mohnton
Gibraltar Fire Co
Goodwill Fire Co #1 of Hyde Park
Greenfields Fire Co 1
Hamburg Emergency Medical Services Inc
Hamburg Volunteer Forest Fire Crew Inc
Hereford Fire Company
Kempton Fire Co Inc
Kenhorst Volunteer Fire Company No 1
Keystone Fire Co No 1 of Shillington
Keystone Fire Company Rehrersburg
Kutztown Area Transport Service Inc
Kutztown Volunteer Fire Department
Lower Alsace Ambulance
Lyons Volunteer Fire Co 1
Marion Fire Company of Stouchburg
Monarch Fire Co No 1
Mount Penn Fire Company
Mount Pleasant Fire Company
Muhlenberg Area Ambulance
Oley Fire Company
Oley Fire Company
Pioneer Hose Co No 1
Ruscombmanor Fire Company No 1
Schuylkill Valley Emergency Medical Services
Shartlesville Community Fire Company No 1
Shoemakersville Fire Co No 1
Southern Berks Regional EMS Service
Strausstown Volunteer Fire Company No 1
Topton AL Community Ambulance Service
Topton Volunteer Fire Company
Township of Spring Firefighters Inc
Twin Valley Fire Department
Union Fire Company No 1 of Hamburg
Union Fire Company No 1 of Leesport
Union Fire Company Of Bethel
Walnuttown Fire Co #1
West Reading Fire Company No 1
Western Berks Ambulance Association Inc
Western Berks Fire Department
Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company
Wyomissing Fire Department

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