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For Immediate Release
March 21, 2000

White: Senate Passes Measure to Provide $25 Million in Aid to Volunteer Fire Companies and Ambulance Services

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) said today the Senate has approved legislation that would authorize a $25 million program to provide state grants to Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire and ambulance companies.

White said Senate Bill 7 would create the Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program, which would be administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). It would appropriate $22 million for grants to volunteer fire companies and $3 million for grants to volunteer ambulance companies.

The measure -- which provides $10 million more than what Governor Ridge requested in his 2000-2001 budget proposal -- now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The senator said the high cost of equipment and training has created serious financial difficulties for many of Pennsylvania’s emergency crews.

"Many fire companies are struggling to meet increased costs. For every hour of training and firefighting, they spend an increasing number of hours trying to raise money in the community," said White.

Under the plan, the state’s 2,464 volunteer fire companies could apply for up to $15,000 for construction and renovation of firehouses; the purchase or repair of equipment; and debt reduction. Ambulance services could apply for grants of up to $10,000. The plan also offers incentives for fire company consolidation.

Funding for the program would be included in the new state budget beginning July 1. Fire companies and ambulance services would be able to apply for assistance immediately after the start of the fiscal year, the senator said.

White noted that if communities had to pay for the services offered by volunteer personnel, most would have difficulty doing so. One study has found that volunteer fire companies save Pennsylvania’s taxpayers more than $4 billion a year.

"Without the volunteer fire companies, some people could find themselves unable to obtain fire insurance. We owe the volunteer services a huge debt of gratitude for helping protect our safety, our families and our homes."

CONTACT: Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684