Northern Schuylkill fire companies, ambulance services receive state grants

By Kaylee Lindenmuth

SHENANDOAH – 26 fire companies and ambulance services were awarded grants recently, funded through the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

The grants come through the Fire Company, Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, which “provides grants for volunteer and career fire, emergency medical services and rescue companies,” according to the OSFC website.

According to the website, “eligible organizations may apply for grant funding for a combination of up to two projects in the following categories:

•  Facilities – Construction and/or renovation of the fire company’s or ambulance service’s facility and purchase or repair of fixtures and furnishings necessary to maintain or improve the capability of the company to provide fire, ambulance and rescue services.
• Equipment – Purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment.  Includes the purchase of fuel for company vehicles.
• Debt reduction – Debt reduction associated with the facility (1) or equipment (2) categories above.
• Training – Training and certification of members.
• Training and education materials regarding fire prevention for the general public.
• Career Departments Only – Overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while fire fighters are attending training. “

Ringtown Community Ambulance and Lost Creek Community Ambulance are among the list of grant recipients, despite merging into Shenandoah Community Ambulance in August. However, according to Shenandoah Ambulance President Rick Examitas, the ambulance service can continue to receive funds from Lost Creek and Ringtown for ten years after the merger.

All three ambulance associations were awarded $7,037.40, adding up to $21,112,20.

Examitas also serves as fire marshal for Shenandoah’s Phoenix Fire Company, which was awarded $13,570.48, which he says will be used to purchase equipment.

A full list of grant recipients in our area is below.

Ashland
American Hose Co. 1 – $15,000.00
Washington Fire Company Community Ambulance $7,037.40
Washington Fire Company No 1 $14,860.55

Mahanoy City
Citizens Fire Co. 2 – $14,860.55
Good American Hose Company No. 3 –  $12,464.70
Humane Fire Company No. 1  – $11,727.52
Mahanoy City Emergency Medical Services – $7,037.40
Washington Hook & Ladder #1 – $13,386.18
West End Fire & Rescue – $13,570.48

Shenandoah
Columbia Hose and Steam Fire Company No. 1 – $12,649.00
Defender Hose Company – $12,096.11
Shenandoah Community Ambulance – $7,037.40
Rescue Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 – $14,491.96
Phoenix Fire Company No. 2 – $13,570.48
Polish American Fire Co. – $12,833.30

Frackville
Frackville Community Ambulance Association – $7,037.40
Good Will Hose Company No. 1 $13,570.48

Nuremberg
Nuremberg Weston Volunteer Fire Co. – $13,754.78

Englewood
Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Englewood – $15,000.00

Girardville
Girard Hose Company No. 1 – $11,911.82
Girardville Ambulance Service Inc – $5,458.32
Rangers Hose Company – $13,570.48

Lavelle
Lavelle Volunteer Fire Company – $11,727.52

Lost Creek
Lost Creek Community Ambulance Association – $7,037.40 (goes to Shenandoah Ambulance)

Ringtown
Ringtown Community Ambulance Association Inc – $7,037.40 (goes to Shenandoah Ambulance)
Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue Co – $12,649.00

Sheppton
Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Co. – $15,000.00

William Penn
William Penn Fire Company No. 1 – $13,201.89

About Author

Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

See author's posts