Boback Announces First Responder Grants

Twenty-five fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations in the 117th 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 117th 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.

SWB RailRiders to Host First Responders & Military Appreciation Night

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will host First Responders & Military Appreciation Night on September 11 when the RailRiders take on the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field. In appreciation of those men and women who support and sacrifice daily for our nation, the RailRiders are offering two free tickets to all first responders as well as active duty and veterans of our Armed Forces.

Gates open at 5:00 P.M. on September 11 and the first pitch against the Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate is set for 6:05.

First responders and active duty/veteran Armed Forces members can claim their two free field reserved tickets by presenting a valid ID at the PNC Field Box Office this week. The box office will be open at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday through Friday prior to the RailRiders games against the Red Wings. On Saturday, September 11, the box office will open at 3:00 P.M.

Geisinger ADMI Offers Online Training for First Responders

Geisinger’s Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute (ADMI) is offering free online training for first responders to help them better assist children with special needs during emergencies. The training is also open to other community members.

Up to 15% of children have a developmental or behavioral disorder, including autism, speech and language disorders, intellectual disabilities, or conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety. The training program provides an overview of these conditions, their related behaviors, and strategies for communicating with children who have these disorders in a variety of situations.

The training is facilitated by Barbara Haas Givler, director of education and behavioral outreach at Geisinger’s ADMI, and Cora Taylor, ADMI assistant professor.

“This training for first responders provides practical strategies for approaching and supporting children with special needs in emergency situations,” Haas Givler said. “We appreciate all that first responders do for our patients with special needs, including autism, and we’re thrilled to be able to give something back to them.”

Interested community members can view the webinar at geisinger.org/ADMIEMStraining. The training was funded in part by the Rite Aid Foundation.

ADMI has also created materials to help children with special needs and their families understand what to do in an emergency. For more information, visit geisingeradmi.org/admi-approved-resources.