Volunteer fire-ambulance grants available through October 11

Grant maximums doubled this fiscal year HARRISBURG — Rep. Mike Peifer (R-139) is reminding leaders of volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance service units of the application window to apply for thousands of dollars in state grant funding. Since Aug. 28, volunteer fire companies and ambulance service units could begin applying for the grants by visiting the Web site of the Office of the State Fire Commissioner at ocfc.state.pa.us. The window to submit grant proposals lasts until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11. Grants are used to improve and enhance capabilities of vital emergency preparedness services such as construction or renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or repair of equipment, training or debt reduction. The General Assembly, noting the popularity and need for this program, recently passed Act 10 of 2007, establishing funding for two fiscal years: 2006-07 and 2007-08. This act changed the program in several important ways. First, funding has been doubled for this year, totaling $50 million in funds. In years past, the amount has been $25 million, The maximum grant request for this year’s program is double as well - $30,000 for volunteer fire companies and $20,000 for volunteer ambulance services. Next year, however, grant funding levels will return to previous levels — $15,000 for fire companies and $10,000 for volunteer ambulance services - a total of $25 million to be given to volunteer fire and ambulance companies. Questions regarding the grant program can be answered by calling 1-800-670-3473 or by emailing ra-vfcvasgp@state.pa.us .