Allen announces grants for fire and emergency organizations

Dozens of volunteer emergency response organizations in Berks and Schuylkill counties have been awarded more than $400-thousand-dollars in state grants.

Representative Bob Allen, in announcing the grants, said that Berks and Schuylkill counties are fortunate to have so many excellent volunteer emergency service organizations and extremely dedicated volunteers. The grants will help alleviate some of the fund-raising burdens these men and women face and allow them more time for training and emergency response.

The grants were awarded through the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act. The program, which is being offered for the fourth time in the last six years, provides $25 million in grant funding to volunteer emergency response organizations. The grants may be used for construction or renovation of the company's primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction for previous qualified purchases.