Berks County News

More than $336,000 in grants have been allocated to support fire companies and emergency medical services within Pennsylvania's 130th District. The funding aims to assist these organizations with building projects, equipment purchase or repair, training, and debt reduction. This initiative was announced by Representative David Maloney (R-Berks).

The Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, established by the Legislature and managed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency along with the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, is funded through slot machine gaming revenue.

Representative Maloney expressed his commitment to first responders: “As the author of directing the governor each year to issue ‘a proclamation calling upon all public schools and educational institutions to observe First Responders Day and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions and remembering the sacrifices that first responders have made,’ I am a strong supporter of our first responders and the services they provide to our communities.”

He further emphasized the importance of volunteers in Pennsylvania's safety network: “In Pennsylvania, volunteers are a huge part of this safety net - 97% of Pennsylvania residents rely upon volunteer first responders for fire protection and emergency medical services. I am pleased to announce that fire and emergency response organizations in the 130th District were awarded $336,792 in funding through the grant program.”

The specific grants awarded include:

- Community Fire Company of Seisholtzville received $14,423.

- Community Fire Company Virginville received $14,034.

- Bally Community Ambulance Association received $15,000.

- Blandon Fire Company No. 1 received $15,395.

- Boyertown Area Fire and Rescue Inc. received $42,368.

- Boyertown Lions Community Ambulance Service Inc. received $15,000.

- Earl Township Volunteer Fire Company received $14,423.

- Eastern Berks Fire Department received $42,951.

- Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department received $29,951.

- Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $16,562.

- Hereford Fire Company received $15,006.

- Lyons Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $14,228.

- Oley Fire Company received $16,757.

- Oley Fire Company EMS received $15,000.

- Ruscombmanor Fire Company No. 1 received $13,061.

- Topton Community Ambulance Service received $15,000.

- Topton Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $14,183.

- Walnuttown Fire Company No. 1 received $13,450.