Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) has officially released grant awards for more than 2,500 fire departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) companies across the Commonwealth, delivering $37.5 million in critical funding to support first responders.
As fires continue to be a major concern across the country, Pennsylvania’s career and volunteer firefighters and first responders bravely put themselves in harm’s way to protect their neighbors and serve an essential role in ensuring the safety of their communities. These grants, part of the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, will assist in equipment purchases, training, facility upgrades, and other operational costs to ensure Pennsylvania’s first responders have the resources needed to protect their communities.
For a full list of award recipients, visit this link.
Our firefighters and EMS personnel selflessly dedicate themselves to keeping our communities safe, often with limited resources,” said State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “This funding is a testament to the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring that fire companies and EMS agencies—both career and volunteer—have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively and safely."
Firefighters are being stretched thin right now, responding to more and more calls each year as the number of firefighters across the Commonwealth shrinks. That’s why Governor Shapiro has recommended a three-part plan in his most recent budget proposal to support our firefighters. The 2025-26 budget proposal:
- Creates a new, competitive funding stream of $30 million in grants for our fire companies.
- Creates a pilot program to help provide fire companies with the resources they need to work together.
- Covers cancer screenings for firefighters. Last year, we reformed our Workers’ Compensation Act to ensure firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement with a post-traumatic stress injury get the coverage they deserve. Firefighters are exposed to toxic chemicals while on the job – all to keep us safe -- we need to have their backs.
The Shapiro Administration continues to prioritize public safety and support for Pennsylvania’s first responders. For more information about the OSFC and emergency service funding programs, visit pa.gov/agencies/osfc.
Learn how to volunteer with your local fire or EMS company here.