PRESS RELEASE – Schuylkill County State Representatives Jerry Knowles (R-124), Mike Tobash (R-125) and Neal Goodman (D-123) announced this week that 118 volunteer fire and EMS units throughout Schuylkill County have been approved to receive more than $1.4 million in state grant funding through the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Ambulance Service Grant Program.

“Our volunteer firefighters serve crucial roles in our communities, and I’m pleased that so many of our area units will receive this funding to help offset some of their costs,” Knowles said.

The grant program recipients can use the funding to build, repair or renovate a fire company or ambulance service’s primary structure; purchase or repair firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; participate in training seminars and workshops; or pay down the organization’s debt.

“I am proud to see so many of our local fire and ambulance companies receiving this funding,” Goodman said. “They do so much for our communities. I am also proud of the support this Commonwealth provides to them. Pennsylvania provides more funding to volunteer fire and ambulance companies than any other state.”

The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not general fund tax revenue.

“The men and women who volunteer with our area fire stations and EMS units are greatly appreciated for their commitment to keeping our communities safe during emergencies, and I’m glad the state can give back to them in this way,” Tobash said.

For more information about the recipients of this year’s Pennsylvania Fire Company and Ambulance Service Grant Program, contact Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua, by calling (570) 668-1240, Tobash’s district office in Schuylkill Haven, by calling (570) 385-8235, or Goodman’s district office in Mahanoy City by calling (570) 773-3075.

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Click HERE to view the 68-page list of all Pennsylvania fire companies and EMS units receiving grants.

Click HERE for more information via the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s website.

Click HERE to view the press release via Representative Knowle’s website.

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Below is a 4-page TamaquaArea.com list of Schuylkill and Carbon County fire companies and EMS units receiving 2014-2015 grant funds:
(Or click HERE to view a clickable PDF of the below 4-page list.)