North Pocono News

More than $542,000 in grants has been allocated to 39 fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies in Pennsylvania's 111th Legislative District. The funding comes from the 2024-25 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. State Representative Jonathan Fritz, who represents Susquehanna and Wayne counties, announced the awards.

"We all recognize these are challenging times for units struggling to retain and attract personnel and to secure the funding to keep equipment and training up to standard," Fritz stated. "These grants are well-deserved and will help our brave first responders with their critically important and dangerous jobs."

The grant program allows for various projects such as facility construction or renovation, equipment purchase or repair, training, or debt reduction. This ongoing initiative is supported by funds from slot machine gaming proceeds rather than tax revenue from the General Fund.

In Susquehanna County, several entities received grants including Barnes Kasson Hospital ($15,000), Columbia Hose Company No. 1 for both fire ($13,524) and EMS ($15,000), Forest City Area Emergency Services for fire ($24,664) and EMS ($15,000), among others.

Wayne County also saw allocations with Alert Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 receiving $13,309.52; Damascus Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps Inc., $15,000; Texas No. 4 Fire Company obtaining $15,030.95; among other recipients.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency administers the grant program while the Office of the State Fire Commissioner handles applications. Eligible companies receive funding upon meeting OSFC requirements.

The 111th Legislative District encompasses all of Susquehanna County along with parts of Wayne County which includes several townships such as Berlin and Damascus as well as boroughs like Honesdale.