Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) announced more than $300,000 in funding has been awarded to nearly three dozen volunteer fire and emergency response organizations in Carbon County under an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

"The men and women who serve as volunteer firefighters and emergency workers do a great service for their communities," said Heffley. "This grant program is one way the Commonwealth gives back to these organizations, which use the money for the construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt."Among the fire and ambulance companies in the TIMES NEWS area receiving the grants are:Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Co.; American Fire Co. No. 1; Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Co.; Beaver Meadows Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1; Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Co.; Diligence Fire Co. 1; Diligent Fire Co. No. 3; East Penn Township Volunteer Fire Co.; Fairview Hose Co. No. 2; Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1; Greater Weatherly Area Ambulance Association Inc.; Hauto Volunteer Fire Co.; Kidder Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1; Lake Harmony Rescue Squad Ambulance Corps; Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Co. Inc.; Lehigh and Lausanne Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co.; Lehighton Ambulance Association; Lehighton Fire Department; Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association Inc.; Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Inc.; Nesquehoning Hose Co. No. 1; New Columbus Fire Co. Inc.; Parryville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2 Inc.; Penn Forest Township Vol Fire Co. No. 2; Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1; Phoenix Hose Co. No. 2; Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Co.; Tresckow Volunteer Fire Co. and West End Fire Company No. 2."Our brave firefighters and emergency responders across Carbon County are a great asset to our community," Yudichak said. "This grant program ensures that there is sufficient funding available for these great volunteer organizations to continue protecting our communities and assisting our residents."