Northern Tier News

Fire and ambulance services in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, are set to receive nearly $325,000 in state grants. The funding comes from the state's Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. Representative Clint Owlett announced the allocation of these funds.

"Our fire and EMS personnel risk their lives daily to ensure the safety of our communities, and that mission has become more difficult for several reasons," said Owlett. "As we work to adopt policies to encourage recruitment and retention of our first responders, these grants are a big help with the financial challenges our companies face."

The grant program is managed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All eligible companies that apply and meet OSFC's requirements receive funding. The funds can be used for various projects such as construction or renovation of facilities, equipment purchase or repair, training, or debt reduction. Recipients must file a grant agreement with OSFC to obtain the funds.

The following companies received grants: Big Elm Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 ($12,233.63), Blossburg Fireman’s Ambulance Association ($15,000), Blossburg Volunteer Fire Department ($12,448.81), Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Company ($12,448.81), Crary Hose Company ($13,524.70), Elkland Borough Volunteer Fire Department ($12,663.99), Knoxville Deerfield Volunteer Fire Company ($13,094.35), Lawrenceville Fire Department ($12,663.99), Lawrenceville Fireman’s Ambulance Association Inc. ($15,000), Liberty Volunteer Fire Company ($12,448.81), Mansfield Firemen’s Ambulance Association ($15,000), Mansfield Hose Company ($13,309.52), Middlebury Ambulance Association Inc. ($15,000), Middlebury Township Volunteer Fire Department Inc. ($12,663.99), Millerton Volunteer Fire Department ($14,815.77), Morris Fireman’s Ambulance Association Inc. ($15,000), Morris Township Fire Company ($12,233.63), Nelson Volunteer Fire Company Inc. ($12,018.46), Oscelola Volunteer Fire Department Inc. ($12,448.81), Sabinsville Firemen’s Ambulance Association ($15,000), Tioga Volunteer Fire Department Inc. ($12,018.46), Tioga Volunteer Firemen’s Ambulance Association Inc. ($15,000), Wellsboro Firemen’s Ambulance Association ($15,000) and Wellsboro Volunteer Fire Department ($13,739.88).