Local state legislators have announced grants awarded to fire companies.

Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill, announced that 24 fire and EMS companies within the 124th District have been awarded a fire company and emergency medical service grant from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our first responders,” Knowles said. “We are grateful for all those who sacrifice their time to help another in their time of need. Everyone gains by giving, but remembering to be grateful to those that incur sacrifice on our behalf is always worthy of thankfulness.”

Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and Sen. John Yudichak, I-Luzerne/Carbon, announced nearly $301,000 in state funding will be shared by 25 fire and emergency medical services organizations in Carbon County. The grants range from $8,549 to $14,248.

“We are grateful for the lifesaving services these dedicated first responders provide for communities in Carbon County,” Heffley said. “I am pleased to see so many fire and ambulance companies are taking advantage of this state grant program in order to remain viable in future years.”

The funding is part of an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training or reduction of existing debt.

“It’s important for the state to continue to invest in our volunteer fire companies and emergency services organizations, which help to keep our communities safe,” said Yudichak. “Making sure our volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel are able to purchase upgraded equipment and receive the latest education and training courses are important to maintaining our residents’ safety and quality of life.”

These grants are aimed to support fire companies, emergency medical services and volunteer rescue squads by funding projects based on the needs of their facilities, equipment, debt reduction, training, education and careers departments.

The following fire and EMS companies in the Times News area received grants:

Carbon County

Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company, $11,646.38

American Fire Company 1, Lansford, $13,152.60

Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company, $11,920.24

Beaver Meadows Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $12,331.03

Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, $12,057.17

Citizens Fire Company No. 1 of Weatherly, $12,604.88

Diligence Fire Company No. 1, Summit Hill, $13,152.60

Diligent Fire Company No. 3, Jim Thorpe, $11,509.46

East Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company, $12,331.03

Fairview Hose Company No. 2, Jim Thorpe, $11,920.24

Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $13,426.46

Greater Weatherly Area Ambulance Association Inc., $8,549.14

Hauto Volunteer Fire Company, Nesquehoning $13,289.53

Lake Harmony Rescue and Ambulance Squad, $9,192.44

Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company Inc., $11,646.38

Lehigh & Lausanne Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Weatherly, $12,331.03

Lehighton Fire Department, $14,111.10

Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association Inc, $9,192.44

Mahoning Valley Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 Inc., Lehighton, $13,563.39

Nesquehoning Hose Co. No. 1, $14,248.03

New Columbus Fire Company Inc., Nesquehoning, $12,467.96

Palmerton Municipal Fire Department Support Team, $12,194.10.

Parryville Volunteer Fire Company, $11,646.38

Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 of Albrightsville, $12,194.10

Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $11,509.46

Phoenix Hose Co. No. 2 of Jim Thorpe, $11,920.24.

Schuylkill County

Schuylkill South Ward Fire Company, $13,153.

Tuscarora Fire Company, $14,248.

West Penn Fire Company No 1, $11,920.

New England Fire Company, $13,700.

No. 1 Emergency and Rescue Squad, $13,563.

Penn Mahoning Ambulance Association, $9,192.

Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue Company, $11,920.

Hometown Fire Company No. 1, $23,694.

Mary D Fire Company, $23,831.

McAdoo Fire Company, $37,248.

McAdoo Fire Company and Ambulance Association, $9,192.

Citizens Fire Company, $13,290.

Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $14,248.

Community Fire Company New Ringgold, $12,194

East End Fire Company, $11,920.

American Hose Company No. 1, $14,248.