Fire companies, EMS eligible for state grant to respond to unconventional gas well incidents
Rep. Frank Burns June 3, 2020 | 11:04 AM
EBENSBURG, June 3 – State Rep. Frank Burns said applications are being accepted for state grants to help fire companies, rescue companies and emergency medical services be equipped and prepared to handle incidents related to unconventional gas wells.
The 2020 Unconventional Gas Well Fund Grant is open through July 31 for such projects as development, delivery and sustainment of training, professional certification or purchasing specialized equipment for emergency responses to natural gas production.
“This is just one of the many grant opportunities available to organizations in Cambria County,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “I make it one of my top priorities to ensure that firefighters, EMS and other community organizations, including nonprofits and local governments, know about grant opportunities. My office also is available to help those interested apply.”
An unconventional gas well is a well that uses fracking to obtain natural gas from an unconventional formation, such as the Marcellus or Utica shales.
For more information about the program and instructions on how to apply is available at www.osfc.pa.gov, the Office of State Fire Commissioner’s website. For help with the online application, contact Burns’ office at 814-472-8021.
Last year Burns secured more than $22 million in state and federal grants for Cambria County, including grants for local fire companies, schools, municipalities and public safety organizations.