A number of fire departments and emergency medical services providers will be awarded funding through the 2021-22 Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service grants, which are administered by the office of the state fire commissioner.

State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, D-18th, announced 26 organizations in the Northampton County and Lehigh County portions of her district will be awarded $368,695. State Rep. Rep. Ann Flood, R-138th, announced 15 organizations in her district were awarded more than $178,000.

“These grants will provide critical financial assistance to the most vital organizations in our community - our fire and emergency services providers,” Boscola said. “Our local fire departments and EMS providers are well deserving of this funding, which will help protect our citizens who are in need of their services.”

“These hardworking and dedicated volunteers answer the call whenever an emergency strikes in our communities, and we are grateful for their service,” Flood said. “I am pleased so many organizations in our area continue to apply for this state assistance, which helps to offset their costs at a time when fundraising has proven to be difficult.”

In accordance with program guidelines for the 2021-22 program, eligible projects for funding include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training, education and public outreach, recruitment and retention, construction savings account, overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while firefighters are attending training (career departments only) and revenue loss due to COVID-19 impacts.

Grants approved in both districts include, in Northampton County, Bath Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Corps Inc., $13,165; Charotin Hose Company No. 1, $14,883; East Allen Township Fire Department, $10,000; East Allen Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps, $8,325; Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000; Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Company-EMS, $8,325; and Northampton Fire Department, $15,000; and, in Lehigh County, Egypt Fire Company No. 1 (Whitehall Fire Department), $15,000; West Catasauqua Fire Company (Whitehall Fire Department), $15,000; Coplay Fire Department, $12,398; Catasauqua Fire Department, $15,000; Han-Le-Co Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $15,000; and International Association of Fire Fighters Lehigh-Northampton Airport, $15,000.

Other grants include, from Northampton County, Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company-EMS, $8,325.05; Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company-fire, $15,000; Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000; Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company-EMS, $8,325; City of Bethlehem-fire, $15,000; City of Bethlehem-EMS, $8,158.45; City of Easton Fire Department, $15,000; Dewey Fire Company No. 1, $13,240; Easton Emergency Squad, $8,325.05; Freemansburg Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $15,000; Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000; Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company-EMS, $8,325; Hecktown Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, $15,000; Lower Saucon Fire Rescue, $32,310; Palmer Municipal Fire Department, $15,000; Plainfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000; Suburban EMS Inc., $8,325.05; Tatamy Fire Company, $15,000; Williams Township Fire Company No. 1, $15,000; Wilson Borough Fire Department, $14,406; Wind Gap Ambulance Corps Inc., $8,325; and Wind Gap Fire Company, $15,000; and from Lehigh County, Emmaus Borough Ambulance Corps, $8,325.05; Emmaus Fire Department, $15,000; Fountain Hill Fire Department, $15,000; and Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company, $15,000.

It is important to note departments now have until July 1 for submission of 2021-22 FCEMS grant agreements. Additional important dates associated with this funding round may be found at osfc.pa.gov.

For more information on the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service grants program, contact Boscola’s office at 610-868-8667.