Emergency Services Grant Program Clears Committee

HB 599 now headed to full Senate for consideration

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today (June 22) approved a bill that would pave the way for an anticipated $25 million in grants for volunteer fire companies and ambulance services, according to Senator Don White, R-41st District and committee Chairman.

House Bill 599, which would establish the Volunteer Fire Company and the Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act for Fiscal Year 2005-06, is now headed to the full Senate for consideration. The bill was approved 188-1 by the House of Representatives on March 16.

Grants would be used to improve and enhance the capabilities of volunteer fire companies and ambulance services across the Commonwealth. Based on an anticipated $25 million line item in the 2005-06 state budget, $22 million would be reserved for fire company grants and $3 million for ambulance service grants.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to our volunteer firefighters and EMS crews," Senator White said. "They provide a tremendous and invaluable service to our communities. With these grants, we can show our support for their work. We can help them buy new equipment or improve their stations."

Grants to volunteer fire and rescue companies would range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000 and could be used for construction or renovation of the fire company's primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction associated with the above.

Grants to volunteer ambulance services would range from $2,500 to $10,000 and could be used for construction or renovation of the ambulance company's primary structure; purchase or repair of ambulance equipment; office equipment and support services, training; or debt reduction associated with the above.

The grant programs would be administered by PEMA. PEMA would be required to provide applications to eligible grantees by July 31, 2005. Completed grant applications would have to be submitted to PEMA by December 31, 2005. All applications would then have to be approved or disapproved by May 1, 2006.