Aug 17, 2008 1 min read

The Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Co. was recently awarded a $33,725 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters grant. The competitive grants are awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations to upgrade equipment and better protect the health and safety of the public, said U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, in announcing the funding.

“Nearly 75 percent of our nations 35,000 local fire agencies are volunteer,” he said. “Their jobs are made more difficult by shrinking budgets that don’t have the flexibility for funding equipment, training or new vehicles.

“These grants help our firefighters and EMS organizations respond safely and efficiently so that they can do a better job protecting our communities.”

Since 2004, nearly $2.75 billion has been awarded to first-responder organizations through the grant program.