Gibbons Announces Over $200,000 Awarded to Area First Responders

Harrisburg, April 28 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, has announced that 16 local fire companies and one EMS squad are receiving more than $211,000 in state grants.

Gibbons said the state grants can be used toward repairing, building or renovating facilities and can also be applied toward the purchase of new equipment, training or facility maintenance.

“Our first responders save lives in time of need,” Gibbons said. “The vehicle and equipment upkeep can be very expensive and this grant award can be used to repay a possible debt-related loan.”

The grants are made possible by the Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, which is funded by gaming revenue. With the grant program set to expire on June 30, Gibbons recently voted for H.B. 1877, which would extend the program for another four years. The bill passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.

Fire companies in the 10th Legislative District receiving grants, and their counties, are:

• Koppel Volunteer Fire Co., Beaver $12,422
• Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Beaver $13,334
• Beaver Falls City Fire Dept., Beaver $13,561
• Beaver Falls Volunteer Fire Co., Beaver $13,561
• New Brighton Volunteer Fire Co., Beaver $13,789
• North Sewickley Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Beaver $13,789
• Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Co., Butler, EMS $7,201
• Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Co., Butler $13,789
• Enon Valley Community Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $11,511
• New Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $11,511
• Slippery Rock Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $11,511
• Wampum Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $11,511
• Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $11,967
• Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $12,878
• Wurtemburg-Perry Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $12,878
• Scott Township Volunteer Fire Dept., Lawrence $13,106
• Volant Volunteer Fire Co., Lawrence $13,106.