POTTSTOWN, PA — The Norco Fire Company in North Coventry Township, Chester County is the recipient of a $12,500 grant to help fight wildfires in rural areas. The funds will be used for training and equipment purchases related to fighting brush and forest fires. The grant is part of $762,414 in grants to help Pennsylvania’s rural communities increase protection from wildfires recently awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation And Natural Resources.
“We are grateful to those who help fight brush and forest fires across the commonwealth and are pleased to support these critical efforts to protect our public lands from wildfires,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Deputy Secretary John Norbeck said. “Ensuring we have well-equipped and highly trained wildfire fighters is key in protecting our forests and wilds from wildfires, whether they are human-caused and naturally occurring.”
Norbeck and Acting State Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey expressed their gratitude to the hardworking men and women who risk their lives to fight fires, both at home and beyond Pennsylvania’s borders. They noted that the wildfire grants help smaller companies to focus on public safety and training, while also easing their financial constraints. These grants are essential in helping firefighters to continue their brave work in protecting our communities.
“It goes without saying that rain has been scarce this year for many parts of the state, as well as wider regions throughout the country,” McGarvey said. “It’s easy to forget that the men and women that respond to these incidents are our neighbors, family members, and friends, and they come to the fire service with a variety of skill levels and backgrounds. Grant programs like these are essential financial pipelines that back their professional development and provide needed equipment and supplies so that firefighters can safely and successfully complete their missions.”
The grants are being awarded on a cost-share basis. The maximum grant awarded in 2022 is $12,500. The full list of recipients is available online.
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