Boback Announces First Responder Grants

Twenty-five fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations in the 117^th Legislative District were awarded more than $331,000 in funding support through the 2021-22 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) announced today.

“They answer the call day and night. We truly appreciate the life-saving services these hard-working and dedicated volunteers provide for our communities,” said Boback. “I am so pleased these fire and EMS companies continue to apply for this state support every year, which helps to offset their operating costs.”

Following is a list of organizations in the 117^th Legislative District that received grants and the amount of the awards:

Lackawanna County

• Fleetville Volunteer Fire Company of Benton Township – $15,000.

Luzerne County

• Back Mountain Regional Fire & EMS Inc. (EMS) – $16,655.
• Back Mountain Regional Fire & EMS Inc. (fire) – $30,000.
• Fairmount Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company (EMS) – $8,325.
• Fairmount Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company (fire) – $15,000.
• Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company (EMS) – $8,325.
• Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company (fire) – $15,000.
• Hunlock Creek Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc. – $8,325.
• Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.
• Jonathan R. Davis Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.
• Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (EMS) – $8,325.
• Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (fire) – $15,000.
• Lake Silkworth Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.
• Sweet Valley Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.

Wyoming County

• Factoryville Fire Company (EMS) – $8,325.
• Factoryville Fire Company (fire) – $15,000.
• Lake Carey Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.
• Lake Winola Fire Company 1 (EMS) – $8,325.
• Lake Winola Fire Company 1 (fire) – $15,000.
• Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company (EMS) – $8,325.
• Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company (fire) – $15,000.
• Northmoreland Township Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.
• Noxen Community Ambulance Association – $8,325.
• Noxen Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.
• Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association – $8,325.

Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training and education, recruitment and retention, or debt reduction. Funds may also be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of fundraising opportunities resulting from the pandemic.

The ongoing funding program was created by the General Assembly. All grants are generated from slot machine gaming proceeds, and not General Fund tax revenue. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency with the application process handled through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.