Carbon County first responders are receiving more than $280,000 in state money.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) said nearly 30 volunteer fire companies and ambulance services were among the more than 2,500 Pennsylvania emergency response units to receive the money from the state's 2011-2012 Volunteer Fire company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.

“These grants will go a long way at helping volunteer emergency responders maintain state-of-the-art equipment and provide important training programs to keep Carbon County and all Pennsylvania communities safe,” said Heffley.

The money can be used on projects including firefighter training and equipment, firefighter wellness and fitness, and modificaiton to fire stations and facilities.

The program also provides funding to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) organizations, including non-affiliated EMS entities, if they are public, or non-profit in status.

Funding for the program is distributed from the state Gaming Fund.

Those Carbon County groups receiving money include;

•    Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Co.
•    American Fire Co.  No. 1
•    Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Co.
•    Beaver Meadows Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
•    Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Co.
•    Diligent Fire Co. No. 3
•    East Penn Township Volunteer Fire Co.
•    Fairview Hose Co. No. 2
•    Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co. No.1
•    Greater Weatherly Area Ambulance Association Inc.
•    Hauto Volunteer Fire Co.
•    Kidder Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
•    Lake Harmony Rescue Squad Ambulance Corps
•    Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Co. Inc.
•    Lehigh and Lausanne Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co.
•    Lehighton Ambulance Association
•    Lehighton Fire Department
•    Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association Inc.
•    Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Inc.
•    Nesquehoning Ambulance Corps
•    Nesquehoning Hose Co. No. 1
•    New Columbus Fire Co. Inc.
•    Parryville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2 Inc.,
•    Penn Forest Township Vol Fire Co. No. 2
•    Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
•    Phoenix Hose Co.
•    Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Co.
•    West End Fire Co. No. 2

“I want to thank each of the volunteer emergency response units for the brave work they do throughout the local area,” said Heffley.

State senators who represent portions of Carbon County also expressed appreciation for the grants to fund local volunteer fire and ambulance companies.
 
“These grants are a great resource for our local volunteer fire and ambulance organizations providing valuable financial assistance for critical emergency services. The volunteers are commended for the work they do every day and the sacrifices they make to serve our communities,” said state Sen. John Yudichak (D-14).
 
Similarly, state Sen. David G. Argall (R-29) said local volunteer fire companies alone save the taxpayers between $3 billion to $6 billion each year.
 
“These grants go a long way to support these brave men and women serving our local communities,” said Argall.
 
Click for more information about the grant program.