Dush: Local Fire, Ambulance Services Receive Over $275,000 in Grants

BROOKVILLE, Pa. – Rep. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson/Indiana) has announced that 24 volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout Jefferson and Indiana counties have qualified to receive approximately $275,590 from a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

“Whether it’s saving lives or protecting property, few duties are more essential than those that our emergency first responders selflessly perform on a regular basis,” said Dush.

“As our emergency response organizations continue to struggle financially, these grants are sure to be put to good use. As always, I am grateful for the men and women who work so hard to protect our communities and am pleased we can continue to support them with this valuable funding.”

All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt.

In addition to supporting this grant program in the Legislature, Dush has also reintroduced his legislation to allow local fire companies to recoup real and reasonable costs associated with their emergency responses (House Bill 759).

Following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies and the amount of their grant awards:

Jefferson County

• Brockway Volunteer Hose Company, $12,667.
• Brookville Volunteer Fire Company, $11,512.
• Central Fire Department, $12,502.
• Friendship Hose Company No. 1, $11,842.
• Jefferson County EMS, $7,155.
• Knox Township Volunteer Fire Department, $11,512.
• Lindsey Fire Company, $12,667.
• McCalmont Township Volunteer Fire Company, $12,997.
• Oliver Township Volunteer Fire Company, $11,677.
• Perry Township Volunteer Fire Company, $11,512.
• Pine Creek Township Volunteer Firemen’s Association, $11,512.
• Reynoldsville Volunteer Fire Company, $12,667.
• Reynoldsville Ambulance Service, $7,155.
• Ringgold Area Volunteer Fire Company, $11,512.
• Sigel Volunteer Fire Department, $11,677.
• Summerville Volunteer Firemen’s Association, $11,512.
• Sykesville Volunteer Fire Company, $13,986.
• Sykesville Ambulance Service, $7,155.

Indiana County

• Cherry Tree Volunteer Fire Company, $13,326.
• Commodore Volunteer Fire Department, $12,007.
• Glen Campbell Volunteer Fire Department, $11,512.
• Marion Center Volunteer Fire Department, $11,512.
• Plumville District Volunteer Fire Department, $12,337.
• Rossiter Volunteer Fire Company, $11,677.

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