Westmoreland County fire departments can apply for pandemic relief money

Grant applications are open for Westmoreland County’s fire departments that have experienced negative financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.

A nonprofit department can receive up to $25,000 each for either expenses related to the pandemic or revenue lost under guidelines released Monday. Commissioner Sean Kertes said there are 118 fire departments in the county.

The grants will come from a portion of $31.5 million the county received through the federal CARES Act this year. The money is designated for local governments to cover costs associated with the coronavirus responses, grant programs to support economic development organizations, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services, small business relief programs and nonprofit organizations.

Forty municipalities are splitting $780,000, the commissioners announced last week. More than 260 small businesses and 77 nonprofits have received funding. A $5 million grant was awarded to Excela Health to help cover losses attributed to the coronavirus.

“I am pushing to get a round two for nonprofits and small businesses,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

Fire departments have been struggling financially for months as many fundraisers either were canceled or switched to online because of limits on gatherings. That has eaten away at budgets, leaving departments without tens of thousands of dollars in fundraising revenue needed to keep up with regular monthly expenses.

Pennsylvania officials distributed $50 million to fire, rescue and EMS agencies in October through federal CARES funding. About 90 Westmoreland County fire departments got more than $2 million and 14 EMS agencies received about $210,000.

To be eligible for the county funding, a fire department has to show extra costs related to the pandemic or lost revenue between March 1 and Dec. 30. The money can be used for operational expenses, such as utilities, insurance and facility cleaning. The deadline to apply is Dec. 14.

For more information or to apply, visit: co.westmoreland.pa.us/2933/Westmoreland-CARES-Fire-Department-Suppo.