Introduction

The Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute is a statewide non-profit fire and emergency medical service organization. The Institute is composed of 110 county, regional and state organizations who send representatives to an Advisory Board which sets priorities and determines policies. The Institute is known for holding the Annual Fire and Emergency Services Dinner where local emergency responders meet with their state elected officials. The Institute recently conducted a funding study of the incredible cost savings the fire service provides for the Commonwealth and a survey of fire companies and local government relations, and an emergency vehicle survey. Fire and emergency service personnel in Pennsylvania and across the nation are always looking for innovative financial resources to operate their organizations. Our citizens have come to expect quality emergency service with little or no public funds. The goal of this guide is to answer a commonly asked question: Where can my organization get extra money? Although bingo and chicken bar-b-ques are a common source of income, there are loans and grants available through federal, state and local sources. This guide is divided into four parts. The first part lists Federal Government Sources. The second part provides you with state funding sources. The third section provides you with ideas on the local level. Finally, we have collected different fund raising ideas from across the region, some traditional and some not so traditional. These suggestions come from individuals and organizations who struggle every day with fund raising. We hope this booklet will give you a new perspective on improving your organizations cash flow and improving the financial stability of the Pennsylvania emergency services into the 21st Century.

Federal Government Funding Sources

RURAL COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION

Numerous state forestry agencies and/or natural resources departments offer grants that have been made available through the federal government. In Pennsylvania, contact the following:

Bureau of Forestry-Division of Forest Fire Protection--- Rural Fire Companies only
Market Street
P.O. Box 8552
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552
(717) 787-2925
(717) 787-2703

FEDERAL EXCESS PROPERTY PROGRAM

Surplus federal property is often available through state departments of surplus and/or auction agencies.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS (CDBG)

These are highly competitive programs funded by the federal government. The funds are available to local governments for special projects, including fire and life safety protection.
To receive information, contact the CDBG Coordinator at your county court house or the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 7282
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-1577

MILITARY BASE AND FEDERAL INSTALLATION AGREEMENTS

If you organization is in close proximity to a military or federal installation and you provide services at no cost, financial resources could be available to your department through the installations annual budget or some other sources. In addition, base commanders are often willing to work with local departments to establish a mutual aid plan that could work in your benefit. Remember, those bases are paid for by everyone's tax dollars. Take advantage of this opportunity.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SUPERFUND

This federal agency has a reimbursement program for emergency services that respond to Haz-Mat incidents.
Contact the Superfund Hotline at (800) 424-9346

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAZ-MAT UNIFORM SAFETY ACT

The Department of Transportation has a grant program for emergency service personnel who respond to haz-mat incidents. Please contact your county Emergency Management Coordinator for more information.

FEDERAL PROPERTY REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

This program is similar to the Military base Agreement program. It is administered by the United States Fire Administration and assists local emergency organizations find out if they are eligible for reimbursement of expenses incurred while providing services on federal property.

United States Fire Administration
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(800) 238-3358

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FARMER'S HOME ADMINISTRATION LOANS

The agriculture department issues loans to rural fire and EMS departments for new buildings, apparatus, and equipment.

Department of Agriculture
Rural Development Administration
Community Facilities Division
14th and Independence Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 720-4323

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN.

This division of the DOT has provided funding for EMS issues and highway safety.

NHTSA Office of Enforcement and Emergency Services
400 7th Street
NTS-13, Room 5130
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-4913

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

This agency has funded grants for rural EMS projects and the development of 911 systems.

Health Resource and Services Administration
Outreach Program
Parklawn Building, Room 905
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
(301) 443-0835

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

This agency is primarily supported and is jointly administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

State Funding Sources

LOW INTEREST LOANS-VOLUNTEER LOAN PROGRAM ACT

A well known statewide program for Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Service organizations. This program has had many successful years helping the Pennsylvania emergency services. Benefits of the program include new vehicles and equipment, building construction and renovations, turnout gear, and radio equipment. A one-time loan is available for a computer and/or software to implement the Voluntary Incident Reporting System.

Office of the State Fire Commissioner
Volunteer Loan Assistance Program
PO Box 3321
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 651-2200 or (800) 670-3473

EMS OPERATING FUNDS (EMSOF)

This state administered program is funded from a surcharge on moving traffic violations issued by police agencies in the Pennsylvania. The funds are distributed to the 16 regional EMS councils and then on to local groups and organizations. The money can be used for numerous projects.

Division of Emergency Medical Services
Health and Welfare Building
Room 912
PO Box 90
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 787-8740
(717) 772-0910 fax

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS

This financial assistance program for Pennsylvania's firefighter's has been distributed to municipalities across the state since 1895. The funds are collected from a two percent foreign fire insurance tax levied on fire insurance premiums. The money can be used for safety, training and related items.

Department of the Auditor General
Bureau of Firefighter Relief Assoc. Audits
Room 40 1/2,
Finance Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-1308

STATE EXCESS PROPERTY PROGRAM

This program is the same as the federal program except it is for state surplus property.

Department of General Services
2221 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 787-6159 Ext. 3222, 3208

FARM SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH GRANT

This grant, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will financial assistance of up to $2,500.00 to statewide farm organizations, volunteer fire companies, ambulance services, and rescue squads that wish to develop and deliver farm safety, occupational health and emergency response programs.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Plant Industry
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
(717) 772-5205

Local Funding Sources

TAXES AND FEES

Taxes and fees are the most common source of income for municipalities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Emergency service organizations can benefit directly from this source of revenue through annual allocations to local organizations or budget increases. The types of taxes and fees are numerous. Local governments that are currently using specific methods and some additional examples are listed below.
Borough of Lewistown, PA
c/o Dave Frey, Borough Manager
Lewistown, PA
(717) 248-1361

• -nuisance alarm fee administered by regional police department

• -annual Fire Prevention Fee

• - conducted by both codes and fire department personnel

• -money collected goes into general fund and is used to fund annual fire company allocation

Millersburg, PA
Upper Paxton Township
(717) 692-4655
Millersburg Fire Company (717) 692-2121

• -1 mill fire tax in place of annual solicitation

Upper Allen Township
c/o Police Corporal David Spotts
100 Gettysburg Pike
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 766-0756
-nuisance alarm fee
-not a significant source of income

Borough of Bally, PA
c/o Bob Moll, Borough Manager
P.O. Box 217
Bally, PA 19503
(610) 845-2351
-nuisance alarm fee
Other Means

• Property tax for fire protection

• Alarm fees

• Local sales tax

• Private sector training fees

• Controlled burn permits

• Building fees

• Extrication/rescue fees

• Fire Code fees

• Stand-by fees

• Inspection fees

COST SHARING/CONTRACTING OUT

This is also known as merging, consolidating, and regionalization of services. The idea of sharing equipment, manpower, and facilities has been around for a long time. Mergers, consolidations, and regionalizations are occurring in PA at an increasing rate. The idea is gaining momentum as budgets tighten at every level of government.

PRIVATIZATION

Privatization is another method that municipalities are using to control their costs. More and more government entities are starting to have outside, for-profit enterprises provide services. These include garbage collection, street sweeping, and preventative maintenance.

CORPORATIONS/FOUNDATIONS

National, Local, and Community Service Clubs One untapped area of funding is corporations, charitable foundations and service clubs. Countless dollars are distributed every year to projects that benefit the well being of the general public. These funds may be available through Lions Clubs, Veterans of Foreign War Posts, Jaycees, social clubs and businesses of all sizes. You may wish to contact the Development Officer at your local college or medical facility to determine if assistance is available by accessing foundation directories or guides. This information may also be available in libraries, telephone books, banks or by just writing a letter to local community service organizations. Be prepared for formal budgetary reports and presentations about what you plan to do with contributions. A specific project or goal usually receives a better response.

Allstate Safety Leadership Award -Organizations and businesses that conducted a successful home, auto, or personal safety program for the public during the year. Separate national and community-based grants awarded. Individuals requesting information should call (847) 402-5335

. Both of these organizations are research centers for assistance in organizational grantwriting:

NOW, WE NEED YOUR HELP.......

We need your help to improve our fire and emergency service funding guide. Hopefully this project will assist you and your organization in your fund raising efforts. If you would like to add ideas to the next issue of this funding guide or would like to make comments or suggestions, please contact us at 1-800-FIRE LINE or PFSI.org

Updated October 19, 1999