Harrisburg, July 22 – State Rep. Jeff Coy, Cumberland/Franklin, announced today that legislation he co-sponsored, H. B. 8, that would restore funding to a successful grant program for volunteer emergency services is on the way to Governor Rendell’s desk to be signed into law.

"Everyone in Cumberland and Franklin counties knows how important volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue squads are, not just for public safety, but for the vital role they play in our communities," Coy said. "Study after study has proven that, if we had to replace our volunteer services with paid companies, it would cost us $6 billion. This grant program is one of the wisest investments we can make in our communities."

The bill would create the Volunteer Fire Company and the Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act. Grants would be used to improve and enhance the capabilities of volunteer fire companies and ambulance services across the Commonwealth. Under the bill, $22 million would be allocated for fire company grants and $3 million would be allocated for ambulance service grants.

Grants to volunteer fire and rescue companies, ranging from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000, would be used for construction or renovation of the fire company’s primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction.

Grants to volunteer ambulance services, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, would be used for construction or renovation of the ambulance company’s primary structure; purchase or repair of ambulance equipment; office equipment and support services, training or debt reduction.

Coy, a former volunteer fire company president, is also the prime sponsor of the Homeland Heroes Grant Act, which would create the framework to deliver the $100 million emergency services bond issue that was approved by ballot referendum last year. That legislation (H. B. 1062) is awaiting action in the House Emergency Preparedness and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

"While this $25 million grant program is a great step in the right direction, I’m going to keep fighting to get the Homeland Heroes grant act approved to provide even more funding for our volunteers," Coy said. "When it comes to our volunteers, we need to do our part to give them the tools they need to protect us all."

There are 2,400 volunteer fire departments in Pennsylvania and 1,000 volunteer ambulance services; 96 percent of departments in the Commonwealth use a completely volunteer staff.

"Volunteer companies in towns like Shippensburg and Chambersburg have been working hard to keep their doors open and their equipment rolling," Coy said. "Hopefully these grants will give the companies the help they need and deserve to keep us safe. I hope that the governor will sign this measure into law, and, when he does, I will be contacting every volunteer company in the 89^th Legislative District to help them apply for these funds."