Burns supports $30 million in emergency grants for fire, EMS companies during coronavirus crisis

Bill would provide one-time grants to support their efforts

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    March 27, 2020 | 2:32 PM

EBENSBURG, March 27 – Knowing well the hard work and selfless commitment of Pennsylvania’s first responders, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today co-sponsored legislation that would provide fire departments and EMS companies with one-time emergency grants to help them address the coronavirus crisis.

“First responders sacrifice themselves daily for the benefit of our communities,” Burns said. “This legislation would give our fire and EMS companies some much-needed support in this time of crisis, at a time when fundraising is all but impossible and demands for service are increasing.

“I hope this legislation will receive bipartisan support and quick passage through the House and Senate,” he concluded.

Under the legislation being introduced, a COVID-19 Crisis Fire & EMS Grant Program would provide a one-time grant to each fire and EMS company agency that has already been approved by the state for a 2019-20 fiscal year grant. Crisis grants would be automatically awarded with no need for companies to apply. The program would end after 180 days.
 
The grants will be funded by a one-time transfer of $30 million from the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund, which has previously been used to balance the state budget in both 2014 and 2016.