Marple Ambulance, Newtown Square Fire Co Get State Grant Funds

MARPLE-NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Square Fire Company and Marple Ambulance got a funding boost recently thanks to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

State Reps. Jennifer O'Mara and Lisa Borowski announced the funding.

The program is open to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads.

Marple Township Ambulance Corps got $10,000 and the Newtown Square Fire Company No. 1 got $15,000.

"Since taking office five years ago, one of my top priorities has been ensuring that our community’s first responders can safely and effectively do their jobs," O’Mara said. "First responders risk their own safety and well-being every day in order to help people in crisis, so they deserve all the support we’re able to give them."

Grant funds may be used toward facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts.

"Emergency service agencies across the commonwealth have been hit hard by the pandemic in a variety of ways, spanning from staff shortages to exacerbation of existing issues such as poor reimbursement rates for ambulance responses," Borowski said. "Our volunteer fire/EMS companies keep our communities safe and it is essential they have the resources necessary to sustain operations."

The Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program is administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

Funding may be used for facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts.

Fire companies were also permitted to apply for savings accounts for new facility construction.