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    State Fire Commissioner Makes $250,000 Available to Help Fire, Rescue, and EMS Personnel Prepare for Gas Well Incidents

    Shapiro Administration funding helps first responders train and prepare for emergencies, continuing Governor Shapiro’s commitment to first responders and safe communities.

    October 14, 2025

    Harrisburg, PA – Today, State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook announced the application period for the 2025 Act 13 Unconventional Gas Well Fund (UGWF) grant is now open. The online application will remain open until Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The UGWF grant provides grants for volunteer and career fire, emergency medical services (EMS), and rescue companies in counties throughout Commonwealth where unconventional gas well drilling has been permitted to acquire the specialized training, skills, and equipment to respond to gas well related emergencies to keep communities safe.

    Fire companies, rescue companies and EMS located in the 40 counties with unconventional gas wells, and the 11 counties that directly border those counties, are eligible to apply for the grants. See a map of eligible counties for more information.

    The Office of the State Fire Commissioner remains committed to providing resources to our emergency services personnel to prepare for hazards facing our communities. These grants help fund essential training and equipment for unconventional gas well emergency response, ensuring our first responders and communities are safe if a gas well emergency occurs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                – State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook

    Eligible projects in accordance with the 2025 UGWF Grant Program provided by the Act 13 of 2012, include development, delivery and sustainment of training, professional certification, or the acquisition of specialized equipment for emergency responses relating to natural gas production from unconventional gas wells.

    Examples of eligible projects include:

    • Obtaining professional national certification of fire, rescue, and EMS personnel.
    • Purchase of firefighting, rescue, EMS, or air monitoring equipment used at or related to an unconventional gas well pad incident or related to an unconventional gas well pad, including training on the equipment provided by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy at no additional costs to the grant recipient.
    • Training classes and required educational materials to prepare for incidents at an unconventional gas well pad incident or related to the unconventional gas industry.

    Visit the Office of the State Fire Commissioner website for detailed information about the grant program and instructions on how to apply.

    You can make a difference in your community today. Learn how to volunteer with your local fire department.

    Media Contacts

    Andy DeBrunner

    Office of the State Fire Commissioner 717-649-7893
    Office of the State Fire Commissioner Media