Area legislators announced state grants for fire and emergency response organizations in the region.

Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and Sen. David Argall, R-Carbon/Schuylkill/Luzerne, announced fire and emergency response organizations in Carbon County have been awarded $390,063 in grants from the state.

The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner. This funding comes from Pennsylvania state gaming revenue.

“I’m happy to see these dollars support vital services in Carbon County,” Heffley said. “Our volunteer fire companies and EMS providers often operate on very limited budgets. This funding will help support our first responders with important needs and help to save lives.”

“I’m thankful so many local fire and EMS companies were awarded these highly competitive funds,” Argall said. “These grants are well-deserved and will help our brave first responders with their critically important and dangerous jobs.”

The following grants were awarded in Carbon County:

Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company, $12,839; American Fire Company No. 1, $14,075; Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company, $13,251; Beaver Meadows Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $12,839; Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, $13,663; Citizens Fire Company No. 1 of Weatherly, $13,869; Diligence Fire Company No. 1, $14,487.63; Diligent Fire Company No. 3, $12,014; East Penn Township Volunteer Fire, $13,251; Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $14,282; Hauto Volunteer Fire Company, $13,045; Lake Harmony Rescue and Ambulance Squad, $15,000; Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company Inc., $14,694; Lehigh and Lausanne Rural Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, $12,426; Lehighton Ambulance Association Inc., $15,000; Lehighton Fire Department, $16,137.

Also, Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association Inc., $15,000; Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $15,724; Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1, $16,137; New Columbus Fire Company Inc., $12,426; Onoko Fire and Rescue, $24,633; Palmerton Community Ambulance Association Inc., $15,000; Palmerton Municipal Fire Department Support Team, $15,312; Parryville Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, $12,633; Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $13,251; and Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 2, $14,075.

Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, education about fire safety, or reduction of existing debt.

Monroe County

State grant funding was awarded to eight first responder companies that serve the 176th Legislative District under the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe, announced.

“The funding from this critical grant program will ensure our firefighters and EMS personnel have the equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Rader said. “Our volunteer first responders work tirelessly to serve and protect our communities every day.”

Grants awarded to companies that serve 176th District are: Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company, $15,105; Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company, $12,220; Lehigh Valley Health Network Emergency Medical Services, $15,000; Pocono Mountain Regional EMS, $14,533; Pocono Summit Volunteer Fire Company, $13,044; Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company, $14,075; Tunkhannock Township Volunteer Fire Company, $12,838; and West End Fire Company of Brodheadsville, $16,136.

Schuylkill County

Rep. Jamie Barton, R-124, Sen. David Argall, R-29, and Sen. Chris Gebhard, R-48 announced that fire and ambulance companies in the 124th Legislative District will collectively receive $435,895 in state grants to support their public safety mission.

“The safety of our community is my top priority,” Barton stated. “Firefighters and emergency medical personnel are the backbone of our neighborhoods. They make it possible for our communities to thrive. It’s essential that these teams have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively, and this funding is a critical step toward ensuring that happens.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations in Schuylkill County:

American Hose Company No. 1, $15,000; Auburn Fire Company, $12,220.36; Auburn Fire Company Ambulance Service, $15,000; Citizens Fire Company No. 1, $12,220.36; Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $14,281.52; Community Fire Company of New Ringgold, $12,426.48; Community Fire Company No. 1 of Landingville, $12,426.48; Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company No. 1, $14,281.52; Delano Fire Company No. 1, $12,426.48; and East End Fire Company, $12,220.36.

Also, Friendship Hose Company No. 1, $14,281.52; Hometown Fire Company No. 1, $24,426.48; Mary D Fire Company, $24,632.59; New England Fire Company No. 1, $14,693.75; No. 1 Emergency and Rescue Squad, $12,632.59; Penn Mahoning Ambulance Association, $15,000; Port Clinton Fire Company, $12,426.48; Ryan Township Emergency & Rescue Squad, $14,750; Ryan Township Fire Company, $15,105.98; South Ward Fire Company, $14,487.63; Tamaqua Community Ambulance Association, $15,000; Tuscarora Fire Company, $13,457.05; and West Penn Fire Company No. 1, $12,426.48.

Lehigh County and Northampton County grants were announced by Rep. Zach Mako earlier this month.