Twenty-five fire and emergency medical services organizations in Carbon County were awarded nearly $360,000 in funding support through the 2021-22 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and Sen. John Yudichak, I-Luzerne/Carbon, announced. The grant amounts range from $8,325 to $30,000.

“Now more than ever, our dedicated first responders need this state financial support to continue providing their live-saving services to communities throughout Carbon County,” said Heffley. “I am pleased so many of our local fire and ambulance companies apply for this funding every year to help defray some of their operating costs.”

“Our volunteer first responders perform heroic tasks daily and often go above and beyond the call of duty to protect our communities,” said Yudichak. “They continue to do this during a time where the COVID-19 pandemic has put a significant financial strain on our volunteer fire companies and emergency services organizations as fundraising opportunities have been become limited. The funding announced today will not only help these organizations continue to run their day-to-day operations, but will also help them purchase upgraded equipment and receive the latest training and education.”

Fire and EMS organizations in the 122nd Legislative District that received grants:

• Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000

• American Fire Company 1 Fire Lansford, $15,000

• Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company, Carbon, $15,000

• Beaver Meadows Volunteer Fire Company No 1, $15,000

• Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, $14,586

• Citizens Fire Company #1 of Weatherly, $15,000

• Diligence Fire Company 1 Fire, Summit Hill, $15,000

• East Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000

• Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $15,000

• Hauto Volunteer Fire Company Fire, Nesquehoning, $15,000

• Lake Harmony Rescue and Ambulance Squad EMS, $8,325.05

• Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company Inc. Fire, $15,000

• Lehigh & Lausanne Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company Fire, Weatherly, $15,000

• Lehighton Ambulance Association Inc., $8,325.05

• Lehighton Fire Department Fire Lehighton, $15,000

• Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association Inc., $8,325.05

• Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Inc., $15,000

• Nesquehoning Hose Company #1, $15,000

• New Columbus Fire Company Inc., $15,000

• Onoko Fire and Rescue Fire Jim Thorpe, $30,000

• Palmerton Community Ambulance Association Inc., $8,325.05

• Palmerton Municipal Fire Department Support Team Fire Palmerton, $13,190

• Parryville Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, $15,000

• Penn Forest Township Vol Fire Company No. 2, Albrightsville, $14,400

• Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Jim Thorpe, $13,196.

Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training and education, recruitment and retention, or debt reduction.

Funds may also be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of fundraising opportunities resulting from the pandemic.