Area ambulance and fire companies draw $290,692 in grants

From staff reports

Ambulance services and volunteer fire departments in Clarion and Armstrong counties will share $290,692 in recently announced state grants.

The grants are funded by slot machine proceeds and not tax money. The awards were recently announced by the Office of State Fire Commissioner within the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

“Our fire and EMS companies are always there for us in our time of need, whether that be natural disasters, medical emergencies, car accidents or fires,” state Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-63) said. “Within the past few weeks, our first responders came together when Allegheny Wood Products suffered a devastating fire.

“Their efforts and cooperation are unmatched, even as they all struggle to keep their own companies operational and spend a great deal of their time raising money. That’s why I am pleased a state grant program is able to help ease their financial burden.”

The funding can be used to construct or renovate a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair equipment, conduct training exercises, or reduce existing debt.

The awards in Clarion County, totaling $173,683, include:

Callensburg-Licking Township Volunteer Fire Company – $11,783

Clarion Fire and Hose Company No. 1 – $11,783

East Brady Area Ambulance Service – $5,137

East Brady Volunteer Fire Department – $12,057

Farmington Township Volunteer Fire Company – $11,509

Hawthorn Area Volunteer Fire Company – $11,509

Knox Ambulance Service – $9,192

Knox Volunteer Fire Company – $12,331

Limestone Township Volunteer Fire Company – $11,509

New Bethlehem Fire Company No. 1 – $11,783

Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department – $9,725

Rimersburg Hose Company – $11,509

Sligo Volunteer Fire Department Inc. – $11,646

Southern Clarion County Volunteer Ambulance Service – $9,192

St. Petersburg Volunteer Fire Company – $11,509

Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company – $11,509

The awards in Armstrong County, totaling $117,009, include but are limited to:

Dayton District Volunteer Fire Company – $11,509

Distant Area Volunteer Fire Department – $12,194

Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company – $11,920

Parker City Volunteer Fire Department – $24,104

Pine Township Volunteer Fire Company – $12,057

Rural Valley Hose Company – $11,783

Sugarcreek Township Ambulance Service – $9,192

Sugarcreek Township Volunteer Fire Department – $12,604

Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department – $11,646