“We are very thankful for the opportunity,” Simmons said.
By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Senator Joe Manchin recently announced that the Tucker County Ambulance Authority is one of two North Central West Virginia emergency service organizations to receive grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Tucker County Ambulance Authority Grant has been announced to be in the amount of $68,301.
Tucker County Ambulance Authority Director Amanda Simmons said her office is very excited about the opportunity the grant affords. “(We are) Very excited about the opportunity.” Simmons said.
According to Simmons, the grants will fund education efforts through the Ambulance Authority. “We have been granted $30,000 for a state of the art mannequin and another 38,000 to give us assistance in funding for college for Paramedics through the local colleges and EMT Classes in Tucker County to be held,” Simmons said. “In total we have $3,717.00 that we will have to provide for our 5% portion. The Grant is through AFG American Firefighter Grants.”
Simmons said the Ambulance Authority had also applied for grants for two additional ambulances, but had not had received word on the status of the applications yet. “We have also sent in an application for 2 ambulances as well and the awards have not been released yet so we do not have word if they have been accepted,” Simmons said.
Simmons said the Authority are very thankful for the grant opportunities that are presented. “We are very thankful for the opportunity,” Simmons said.
The FEMA grant was part of $1.2 million dispersed between seven fire departments and EMS organizations throughout West Virginia, according to WDTV. The other NCWV agency to receive funding according to Manchin’s office was Bunners Ridge Volunteer Fire Department in Fairmont.
