Grant money awarded to Valley firefighters, EMS providers
Funds are distributed annually by the state and can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
From small volunteer stations to regional EMS providers, emergency responders across four counties are getting a financial boost through Pennsylvania’s annual Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.
Fire departments and emergency medical providers in Washington, Allegheny, Fayette and Westmoreland counties are set to benefit from another round of state funding through the program.
Administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, the program awards money to eligible fire companies, EMS agencies and volunteer rescue squads to help with everything from basic operating costs to major purchases and facility work.
Fire companies can receive between $2,500 and $20,000, and EMS agencies can receive up to $15,000. State officials note that if applications exceed the amount available, awards can be prorated.
The grant money comes from state gaming proceeds as required under state law. First initiated in 2000, the program is open to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads across Pennsylvania. Funding amounts are contingent on recipients filing their grant agreements with the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Grant awards may be used for construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, public education about fire prevention and reduction of existing debt.
To qualify, fire and rescue companies must have responded to at least 15 fire or rescue emergencies in the previous calendar year. EMS providers must have responded to at least 15 emergency medical calls and be recognized by their municipality as the primary EMS provider. Fire companies also must be current with incident reporting through the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations.
Applications are submitted online through the state fire commissioner’s website using a Keystone ID. Fire companies are required to provide a copy of their application to their local municipality, and organizations that received grant funding in a previous cycle must have submitted final reports to remain eligible.
For the 2025-26 cycle, applications are generally due in the fall, with a deadline typically set in late October.
State officials also point to a separate Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program offering a fixed 2% interest rate for equipment and facility upgrades, which is open year-round.
State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-25, said the funding helps ensure first responders are properly equipped.
“Our fire companies and EMS providers answer the call when lives are on the line, and they deserve reliable support to do their jobs effectively,” Markosek said. “These grants help ensure organizations across our region have the resources and tools they need to protect our communities, and I will continue working to deliver that support.”
State Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-39, emphasized the dedication of local responders.
“We owe immense gratitude to our emergency responders for their unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe — day or night and no matter the weather,” Kuzma said. “I’m proud to see these funds returning to our region in a way that strengthens protection for every resident of the 39th Legislative District.”
State Rep. Bud Cook, R-50, said the funding supports departments that often operate with limited resources.
“The men and women who serve as fire and EMS personnel are heroes, putting their lives on the line every day to keep residents of the 50th District safe,” Cook said. “We’re happy to see this funding going toward supporting the vital services provided by fire companies and emergency medical services. So often these departments rely on volunteers and operate on limited budgets. This money will help meet essential needs, so they can continue saving lives.”
The following departments are slated to receive funding:
Allegheny County
• Blaine Hill Volunteer Fire Company — $15,930.44
• Borough of Jefferson Hills Ambulance (Southeast Regional EMS) — $45,000
• Buena Vista Volunteer Fire Company — $12,426.48
• Citizens Hose Company No. 1 — $20,498
• City of McKeesport Fire Department — $16,136
• Clairton Volunteer Fire Department — $9,600
• Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 — $14,487.63
• Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company — $28,136.55
• Elizabeth Township Fire Department No. 1 — $52,136.55
• Fire Department of North Versailles — $13,044
• Fire Department of North Versailles (EMS) — $15,000
• Floreffe Volunteer Fire Company — $13,250.94
• Forward Township Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association — $12,014.25
• Gallatin Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Department — $15,518.21
• Homeville Fire Company #1 — $15,724.32
• Jefferson 885 Volunteer Fire Company — $14,075.40
• Lincoln Borough Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company No. 1 — $13,869.28
• McKeesport Ambulance & Rescue Service — $15,000
• Rainbow Volunteer Fire Company, White Oak — $15,105.98
• Tri-Community Ambulance South EMS — $15,000
• United Volunteer Fire and Rescue — $12,014.25
• Versailles Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 — $12,000
• Vigilant Hose Company No. 1 — $16,136.55
• Volunteer Fireman’s Association of Liberty Borough — $13,457.05
• West Mifflin Volunteer Fire Company — $13,663.17
• West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Department — $12,000
• White Oak Emergency Medical Services — $15,000
• White Oak Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 — $14,899.86
Fayette County
• Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department — $12,220.36
• Brownsville Ambulance Service — $15,000
• Brownsville Fire Company No. 1 — $12,838.71
• Fayette City Volunteer Fire Company — $12,426
• Newell Volunteer Fire Company — $12,014.25
• South Brownsville Fire Company No. 1 — $13,457.05
• Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company — $14,075.40
Washington County
• Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000
• California Volunteer Fire Department — $13,663.17
• Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department — $15,000
• Denbo Vista Six Volunteer Fire Department — $12,014
• Donora Fire Company — $12,426
• Elrama Volunteer Fire Company — $15,724.32
• Fallowfield Township Fire Company — $16,136.55
• Finleyville Volunteer Fire Department — $12,632
• Lock 4 Volunteer Fire Company — $13,663.17
• Monongahela Fire Company — $12,426 • New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department — $12,220.36
• Roscoe Volunteer Fire Company — $12,426.48
• Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department — $24,838.71
• Tri-Community Ambulance — $15,000 • Valley Inn Volunteer Fire Department — $13,457.05
• Volunteer Fire Department of Carroll Township — $14,075.40
• West Brownsville Volunteer Fire Company — $12,220.36
Westmoreland County
• Collinsburg Volunteer Fire Company — $13,250
• Monessen Ambulance Service — $15,000
• Monessen Volunteer Fire Department Hose House No. 2 — $12,632.59
• North Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department — $12,838.71
• Rostraver Township Fire Department — $28,136.55
• Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services — $15,000
• Smithton Volunteer Fire Department — $13,044.82
• Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Company — $13,663.17
• Volunteer Fire Department and Relief Association of Monessen — $15,518.21
• West Newton Volunteer Fire Company — $12,220.36 Grant recipients must submit their 2025-26 FCEMS Grant Agreements by May 31. Agreements must then be transmitted by July 31 in order for funds to be disbursed.
