Penn-Trafford area fire, ambulance services get state aid

Fire departments and an ambulance service in Penn Township, Manor and Trafford were awarded more than $143,000 in state grants to help compensate for revenue lost and expenses incurred during the covid-19 pandemic.

The money the state has allocated from the federal CARES Act program must be used for operational and equipment expenses, such as utilities, insurance, repairs to apparatus, fuel for vehicles, personal protective equipment and to compensate for the revenue lost due to government restrictions instituted to prevent the spread of covid-19. The money also can be used to pay for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting of equipment and property or other expenses incurred to prevent the spread of the virus.

The money can be used for expenses beginning on March 6 and up until Dec. 30.

“These CARES Act grants can assist in supporting them and their ongoing efforts to keep their neighbors and communities protected and safe,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement.

Of the $50 million in funding set aside for this new program, $44 million will be made available to fire and rescue companies and the remaining $6 million will go to EMS companies, the state said.

The departments awarded grants include:

• Claridge Volunteer Fire Department: $23,973

• Grandview Volunteer Fire Department: $11,094

• Harrison City Volunteer Fire Department: $23,973

• Paintertown Volunteer Fire Department: $23,562

• Trafford Fire Company: $23,288

• Manor Volunteer Fire Department: $22,603

• Penn Township Rescue 6 Ambulance Association: $15,048