Four Local Volunteer Fire Companies Receive State Grants

Four volunteer fire companies in Beaver and Lawrence counties were recently awarded state grants for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires, according to Senator Elder Vogel.

Beaver County grant recipients are: Independence Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1, $1,000, and Industry Borough Volunteer Fire Department, $7,500.

Lawrence County grant recipients are: New Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Department, $2,900, and Volant Volunteer Fire Company, $2,767.

The grants of up to $7,500 were offered under the program to volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities with fewer than 10,000 residents and where forest and brush fires are common.

Funds from the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program, administered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, performing wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles to be used for fire suppression.