Numerous Warren County fire departments benefited from Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program.

Departments receiving grant dollars included: Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department — $11,861.25; Cherry Grove VFD — $11,861.25; City of Warren Fire Department — $15,000 (fire) and $10,000 (EMS); Clarendon VFD — $11,861.25 (fire) and $4,964 (EMS); Garland VFD — $11,861.25; Glade VFD — $13,826.29; Lander VFD — $11,861.25; Pleasant VFD — $12,106.88 (fire) and $10,000 (EMS); Spring Creek Township VFD — $12,352.51; Starbrick VFD — $12,598.14; Tidioute Area VFD — $10,000 (fire) and $7,000 (EMS); and Wrightsville VFD — $12.843.77.

Statewide, 2,336 applicants received a total of over $31 million this year.

“Our office is pleased to see the level of interest in the FCEMS grant program increase year over year,” Acting State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said. “This state support is much needed for our responders, and the communities they work tirelessly to protect.”

“Firefighters and first responders put their health and safety on the line every day for Pennsylvanians — they deserve our full support,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

The program is administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner.

“All fire companies, emergency medical service, and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program,” according to the release from Shapiro’s office. “Due to the popularity of the program this year, not all applications were fully funded, and final awards were determined on a prorated basis.”

Dollars can be spent on a number of things: facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts. “Additionally, fire companies were permitted to apply for constructions savings accounts for the purposes of new facility construction.”