Governor Josh Shapiro Awards $75 Million to Support Pennsylvania Fire and EMS Departments

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Monday the distribution of $75 million in direct state public safety grants through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) to support 2,200 volunteer fire departments, career fire companies, and emergency medical service (EMS) squads across the Commonwealth.

The funding, increased by $40 million over baseline appropriations in the state budget, provides direct operating grants to help local emergency services purchase modern turnout gear, upgrade cardiac defibrillators, maintain ambulances, and recruit certified EMTs and paramedics.

Stabilizing Frontline Volunteer and Career First Responders Pennsylvania is home to more than 1,700 volunteer fire companies that save taxpayers an estimated $10 billion annually, yet rising equipment costs and volunteer staffing shortages have created severe operational strains for rural and suburban emergency services.

"Our firefighters and EMS personnel run toward danger every single day to protect our families, and our Commonwealth has a solemn duty to have their backs," Governor Shapiro said during an announcement at a firehouse in Cumberland County. "For too long, our volunteer fire companies were forced to spend countless hours hosting chicken dinners and raffles just to afford diesel for their fire engines. This $75 million investment delivers direct, meaningful state support so our first responders can focus on saving lives."

Grant Allocations and First Responder Tuition Assistance Under the grant program:

• Direct Department Grants: Fire and EMS companies will receive direct, unencumbered operating grants of up to $35,000 to offset fuel, utility, and insurance costs.
• Advanced Life Support Equipment: Funding modern mechanical CPR devices, portable ultrasound monitors, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
• First Responder Higher Education Tuition Vouchers: $10 million dedicated for tuition vouchers covering community college paramedic and fire science degrees for active volunteers.

State fire commissioners, volunteer fire chiefs, and ambulance association directors commended the governor's decisive funding increase, noting that direct financial relief ensures emergency response times remain fast across rural Pennsylvania.