With the Covid-19 crisis squeezing the finances of volunteer fire companies and Emergency Medical Service providers, State Senator Joe Pittman is introducing a bill to establish a one-time only grant program to ease the money crunch.
Pittman says the first responders need immediate financial assistance because they “are on the front lines during this crisis.” He say emergency personnel are being asked to expose themselves to coronavirus, and at the same time they have lost the ability to fundraise. Organizations such as Citizens Ambulance Service have also seen a reduction in non-emergency calls, which also affects their finances.
The legislation Pittman proposes would provide a one-time grant to each fire and EMS company matching previous grants approved by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for the current fiscal year. It would also open a window for organizations that missed applying for the original grant.
The grants would be funded with $30 million in federal stimulus money.
The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Carmen Bartolotta of Beaver County.
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