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Shapiro administration says proposed budget would increase funding for first responders

From increases in operational costs to decreasing numbers of volunteers, agencies across Pennsylvania are facing a multitude of challenges.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Across Pennsylvania, fire departments and ambulance providers are facing a crisis.

“The most common theme we hear is a lack of resources," said Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook.

Governor Shapiro is addressing it as part of his proposed 2024-25 budget.

Members of the Shapiro administration were at Cumberland Goodwill EMS in Carlisle on Wednesday, explaining how

“Our first responders take great risks every day to protect communities across the Commonwealth,” Commissioner Cook said. “These additional investments in the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s (OSFC) Fire and EMS Grant Program will support the good work they do by helping departments pay for the ever-rising costs of public safety.”

The governor’s proposal would double the amount of funding that goes to the state’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) grant program, from $30 million to $60 million. The program helps agencies pay costs that continue to rise.

The grant is open to fire, EMS, and volunteer rescue squad organizations across the Commonwealth, covering a variety of eligible expenses including the purchase or repair of ambulances and fire trucks, firefighting and medical gear and tools, training materials and certifications, recruitment and retention materials, construction and upgrades to buildings, and debt reduction.

Currently, the maximum annual award amount per organization for EMS grants is $15,000 with fire grants max out at $20,000.

“When you factor in the number of agencies that apply each year, none of them reach the maximum amounts in the program because there is a competitive nature to this funding," explained Commissioner Cook. "So [right now] we’re giving less than $20,000 to a fire department to buy a million-dollar ladder truck.”

For Cumberland Goodwill EMS, assistant chief Nathan Harig says the state funding is critical for their operations.

“When you talk about having a cap of just $15,000...well that’s three percent of an ambulance, we have 10 ambulances, we need all the help we can get," Harig said.

He said it also plays a crucial role in recruiting and retention.

“It takes us about $6,000 just to get someone that’s a new EMT street-ready, able to handle patients on their own and the challenges we are facing, you’re making that investment and if they don’t last and they leave after only a few months or a year, you’re just spending more and more money," explained Harig.

For more information on the Fire and EMS Grant Program, including a list of current recipients, you can visit the Office of the State Fire Commissioner website.

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