DICKSON CITY — Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the Dickson City Fire Department — also known as the Eagle Hose Company No. 1 — on Tuesday to thank first responders for their “heroic efforts” in response to the Lehigh Valley Hospital fire last week.
Shapiro and State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook also highlighted how the 2026-27 proposed budget continues to deliver for firefighters and first responders.
“Every single day, firefighters across Pennsylvania run towards danger to keep people safe from harm,” Shapiro said. “We owe it to these Pennsylvania heroes to have their backs and stand by them.”
The governor said Pennsylvania’s career and volunteer firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect communities across the Commonwealth. He said he has been a strong advocate for increasing state support for fire departments.
That’s why, for the second year in a row, the governor’s proposed budget includes a new $30 million investment — nearly doubling annual funding for fire departments — in competitive grants.
Shapiro said these grants will provide critical financial support to both volunteer and career fire departments statewide by funding major equipment purchases, training, facility improvements, debt reduction, and other essential operational expenses — ensuring Pennsylvanians in every community are protected.
“While the Commonwealth already provides funding for fire companies, the current system doesn’t allow departments to make major investments — these competitive grants would change that,” Shapiro said. “Public safety is at the heart of our work as elected leaders, and when our communities are safe, we build a strong foundation for growth across Pennsylvania.”
Shapiro’s proposed $30 million competitive grant program builds on a $37 million investment in the FY 2025-26 Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services (FCEMS) Program, which is awarding 2,510 grants to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads across the Commonwealth.
The FCEMS Program, administered through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, provides annual, formula-based funding to eligible organizations, with grants up to $20,000 for fire companies and up to $15,000 for EMS companies.
“Our firefighters and EMS personnel answer the call every day, often under challenging conditions and with limited resources,” said Cook. “Fire and EMS companies are facing increased call volumes, rising costs, and ongoing recruitment and retention challenges. These grants help ensure departments can maintain readiness, improve safety, and continue serving their communities effectively.”
The Dickson City Fire Department is a fully volunteer fire service with 60 members, operating one fire engine, one ladder truck, and one rescue truck. Last year, the department responded to over 300 calls, serving approximately 6,600 residents in the Borough of Dickson City.
“We pulled off the impossible last week,” said Chief Richard Chowanec. “It’s vital to the fire service in the state of Pennsylvania to keep this funding coming.”
Since February 2023, the Shapiro Administration has awarded more than $140 million through the FCEMS Grant Program to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads throughout Pennsylvania to support training, equipment, facilities, and operations.
“What happened at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City last week reinforces why consistent, annual funding for Fire Company and EMS grants matters,” said Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton. “Prepared departments save lives, and the safe evacuation of nearly 80 patients underscores the importance of having trained personnel, reliable equipment, and adequate resources in place before an emergency occurs.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.