West Central PA News

Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland) has announced that 28 fire and emergency medical services companies in the 60th Legislative District have been awarded nearly $430,000 in Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants. The grants aim to provide the necessary equipment and resources for these companies to effectively respond to emergency situations.

"Our fire and ambulance service personnel do a yeoman’s job protecting us in times of emergency," Major stated. "These grants will help them have the equipment they need to respond to our calls for help. I’m happy to see so many of our emergency responders took advantage of this opportunity."

The grant program, initiated in 2000, is available to both volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads in Pennsylvania. The funds can be utilized for various purposes such as facility construction or repair, equipment purchase or repair, debt reduction, and training. The specific funding amounts awarded to the companies in the 60th District are contingent upon the recipients filing their grant agreements with the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

In Armstrong County, several fire and emergency medical services companies received grants, including the Apollo Volunteer Fire Department Hose Company No. 2, Apollo Volunteer Fire Department Hose Company No. 3, Bethel Township Volunteer Fire Department, Burrell Township Volunteer Fire Department, Ford City Hose Company No. 1 Ambulance, Ford Cliff Volunteer Fire Company, Freeport EMS, Freeport Volunteer Fire Department, Gilpin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Hose Company No. 1 Ford City, Kiski Township Fire Department, Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, Lower Kiski Ambulance Service, Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company, North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department, Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department, South Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, West Hills Emergency Services, and West Kittanning Fire Department.

In Westmoreland County, grants were awarded to the Allegheny Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, George G. McMurtry Fire Department Vandergrift No. 1, Hyde Park Volunteer Fire Department, Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3, Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 Ambulance, Markle Volunteer Fire Department, Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Department, Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance, Vandergrift Fire Department No. 2, Vandergrift Fire Department No. 2 Ambulance, and West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department.

The 60th Legislative District encompasses various townships and boroughs in Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, including Bethel, Burrell, Cadogan, East Franklin, Gilpin, Kiskiminetas, Manor, North Buffalo, Parks, South Bend, and South Buffalo townships, as well as Apollo, Applewold, Ford City, Ford Cliff, Freeport, Leechburg, Manorville, North Apollo, and West Kittanning boroughs in Armstrong County. In Westmoreland County, the district covers Allegheny Township, East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Vandergrift, West Leechburg boroughs, and a portion of Lower Burrell city.

These grants will undoubtedly enhance the capabilities of the fire and emergency medical services companies in the 60th Legislative District, enabling them to continue their vital work of safeguarding the community during times of crisis.