Newtown-area fire companies and ambulance squads will be receiving more than $64,000 in state funds.
Last week, the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner announced the grants that will help volunteer and paid emergency response organizations that cover Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Wrightstown Township, and Upper Makefield Township.
Below are a list of the grants and the organizations that received them:
• Newtown Ambulance Squad $10,000
• Newtown Fire Association $15,000
• Lingohocken Fire Company $15,000
• St. Mary Medical Center Emergency Medical Service $9,967
• Upper Makefield Fire Company $15,000
The grant program was designed to assist organizations with facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts.
Acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said the local grants are part of more than $31 million awarded to 2,336 organizations throughout the state through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program.
“Our office is pleased to see the level of interest in the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program grant program increase year over year,” said Acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “This state support is much needed for our responders, and the communities they work tirelessly to protect.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his new administration will provide “full support” to emergency responders.
“It is critical that we support our fire companies and EMS workers, who keep our loved ones safe every day by putting themselves on the front lines,” said State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat who represents the 10th Senate District. “Our communities are a safer and better place as a result of these brave men and women. This funding will help ensure that they have the resources they need to continue their vital work.”
State Sen. Frank Farry, a Republican who serves the Sixth Senate District and as the chief for the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company, said: “I appreciate the opportunity to have drafted the reauthorization legislation to keep this vital funding source available to our first responders. Having served our community for the last three decades as a volunteer firefighter I know how important this money is to support those who protect our community.”
