HARRISBURG - State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill, applauded unanimous House passage of his bill to ensure fire companies that choose to merge will continue to receive fair funding through the state’s Fire and EMS Grant Program.

“This important legislation will assist our volunteer fire companies who work so hard to protect our communities,” Knowles said. “Many often forget the sacrifices and bravery it takes to be a first responder, so we must do everything we can as a legislature to support these men and women.”

Under current law, fire companies that merge each receive their own state grant allocations for a period of up to 10 years.

After that, they are treated as a single entity by the program. That means if three fire companies merge and each were receiving $12,000 from the grant program, the new entity would be entitled to receive up to $36,000 for 10 years. At the end of the 10-year period, the newly formed fire company would receive only $12,000.

“Our volunteer fire companies are being hit hard by rising costs for fuel, equipment and supplies, not to mention a decline in fundraising and shortage of volunteers,” Knowles said. “The last thing we should be doing is taking money away from them.”

House Bill 1178 removes the 10-year limitation and allows the joint fire company to continue to receive the combined grant amount in perpetuity.

“My legislation would ensure fire companies that choose to merge - as well as the communities they serve - are not penalized with less funding for doing so,” Knowles said.

Officials from American Fire Company of Lansford and the Coaldale Fire Department announced in August that they were considering a merger - but stressed that if it would happen, it would not be immediate.

In the meantime, the State Fire Commissioner’s Office will conduct a feasibility study to determine what would need to be done to improve functionality and fire protection services for both municipalities.

In addition to the change in the grant program, Knowles’ bill was amended to also aid with implementation of a tuition and loan assistance program for active, eligible volunteers. The program is designed to help recruit and retain volunteers to help protect their communities.

The bill moves to the Senate for consideration.

For more information about the legislation, or any other legislative topic, contact Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411. Information can also be found online at RepKnowles.com.