Ten fire and EMS companies in the 138th Legislative District have been awarded a one-time state grant to assist with extra expenses resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to information released by the House of Representatives, 138th District.

A total of $50 million was made available through the Office of State Fire Commissioner to provide direct financial relief to first responders in Pennsylvania impacted by the pandemic. These funds are to be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of opportunities for fundraising and the inability to create revenue due to compliance with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The following fire and EMS companies submitted applications and received funding:

• Bath Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Corps Inc.: $23,562

• East Allen Township Fire Department: $23,562

• Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company (EMS): $5,856

• Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company: $23,973

• Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company EMS: $15,048

• Hecktown Volunteer Fire Company No. 1: $25,205

• Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Company: $23,973

• Suburban EMS Inc.: $15,048

• Wind Gap Fire Company: $22,877

• Wind Gap Ambulance Corps Inc.: $15,048

Legislation creating the COVID-19 Crisis Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program was passed unanimously by the General Assembly in May 2020 with funding support through the federal CARES Act.

As stated in Act 26 of 2020, the money must be used for eligible expenses, including utilities, insurance, apparatus repairs, fuel, personal protective equipment, lost revenues due to pandemic restrictions and the sanitizing of equipment and property.