HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Regan (R-Cumberland & York) and Senator Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong, Butler, Indiana & Westmoreland) announced that the guidelines for the COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and EMS Grant Program have been released and that fire companies and EMS agencies may now register to receive funds.
In April, Senator Pittman introduced Senate Bill 1122 to provide a one-time grant to fire companies and EMS agencies to help maintain operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Senator Regan, promptly advanced the measure, which then garnered unanimous support by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. On May 29th, the legislation was signed into law by the Governor.
“These organizations are putting themselves on the front lines of defense during this crisis,” stated Pittman. “Not only are they being asked to expose themselves to this deadly virus, but inability to fundraise and limited non-emergency calls are taking a significant financial toll on their operations.”
“Prior to the pandemic, our fire and EMS providers were in a crisis across the Commonwealth,” noted Regan. “And while they continue to answer the call when the alarm goes off, COVID-19 has only exacerbated their situation. These grants will go a long way in terms of helping to maintain operations during this difficult time.”
A total of $50 million will be distributed by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) as follows:
- $44 million to eligible fire and rescue companies; and
- $6 million to eligible EMS companies.
The funding will be calculated for individual awards in the following manner:
- Fire/Rescue/EMS Companies that received a grant award from the 2019-2020 Fire Company & EMS Grant Program (FCEMSGP) and register for the COVID-19 Crisis grant program will receive an initial award equal to the amount they received from the 2019-2020 FCEMSGP.
- The surplus funding in the program will be distributed to each eligible company that meets the funding criteria and that submits a completed registration, including those that did not receive a 2019-2020 FCEMSGP grant award.
Eligible companies seeking a grant under the program are required to submit a completed online grant registration to OSFC by following the COVID-19 Fire, Rescue and EMS Grant Instructions. The online registration portal opened on Monday, July 6, 2020, and will remain open until Friday, August 7, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.
Senators Pittman and Regan are encouraging all fire companies and EMS agencies to register for the special grants.
CONTACT:
Senator Regan: Nathan Silcox – nsilcox@pasen.gov / (717) 787-8524
Senator Pittman: Carlton Logue clogue@pasen.gov / (717) 787-8724