Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire’s Station No. 1 to highlight an additional $2 million in annual state funding for the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire included in the 2025–26 budget, strengthening support for the firefighters who protect the Commonwealth’s capital city. The funding brings total state support for the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire to $7 million per year — a 40 percent increase over the previous year.
“My family and I have personally witnessed the bravery and professionalism of our Harrisburg firefighters and first responders. They run toward danger to keep people safe — not just on one difficult day, but every single day, for people across Harrisburg,” said Governor Shapiro. “A budget isn’t just a collection of line items — it’s a statement of our priorities. Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect their communities, and this investment is one way we show them that we have their backs. I made a commitment to keep fighting for the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire, and through a challenging budget process, they remained a priority. This funding will help strengthen stations, modernize equipment, and support the firefighters who serve this city with courage and dedication.”
This increase in funding will help to reimburse the City of Harrisburg Fire Department for providing fire and emergency services to Commonwealth-owned and leased buildings within the city. To mark the investment, Governor Shapiro ceremonially signed Senate Bill 160, the General Appropriations Act, while visiting Station No. 1.
The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire operates three fire stations across the city and employs more than 90 full-time professional firefighters represented by IAFF Local 428. The department responds to approximately 3,200 calls for service each year. Station No. 1, known as “The Uptown,” serves Harrisburg’s Uptown neighborhood, including the Governor’s Residence, and is also home to Camp Curtin Fire Company No. 13, one of the city’s remaining fully volunteer fire companies.
Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline said the department has been advocating for increased state funding for more than six years and plans to use the additional resources to modernize fire stations, replace aging emergency vehicles, and strengthen recruitment and retention efforts through improved compensation.
“Our residents — and the Commonwealth — deserve a fire department that is fully staffed, well-equipped, and ready to respond to any emergency at a moment’s notice,” said Chief Enterline. “Harrisburg is unique in that we not only serve our residents but also protect the heart of the Commonwealth government. That responsibility was made painfully clear on April 13th, when our members responded to a fire-bombing at the Governor’s Residence. That night underscored the dedication, skill, and courage required of our firefighters every day. This funding increase, the first in nearly ten years, is crucial. It allows us to address rising costs, invest in new apparatus and capital projects, build a budgetary reserve, and continue supporting our career firefighters. Every dollar is an investment in keeping our firefighters safe, skilled, and ready to serve the community, no matter what challenges arise.”
Statewide, Governor Shapiro has made strengthening fire and emergency services a priority. Since February 2023, the Shapiro Administration has awarded more than $100 million through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services (FCEMS) Grant Program to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads across Pennsylvania to support training, equipment, facilities, and operations. Governor Shapiro continues to advocate for increased statewide funding for the fire service and first responders — including advocating for funding increases for the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) grant programs in the last two state budgets.
"I want to thank everyone here, and especially Governor Shapiro, for making this $2 million budget increase for Harrisburg City's firefighters possible. Like many departments in the state, we’ve faced our share of challenges, but thanks to the tireless work of my union, the PBFFA, and many others, our city now has the resources not only to protect our citizens, but also to support neighboring townships and struggling departments around us,” said Nate Barbolish, President, Local IAFF 428. “This funding will help Chief Enterline, Mayor Williams, and City Council provide pay increases and benefits for our 96 men and women, ensuring our firefighters stay on the streets and our community stays safe. It’s a real investment in the people who serve every day to protect and support this region."
Since taking office, OSFC has awarded Harrisburg Fire more than $131,000 in additional grant funding, including support through the FCEMS Grant Program for equipment purchases and repairs, as well as a 2025 Municipal Fire Department Capital Grant to renovate and modernize station facilities.
“The Office of the State Fire Commissioner is committed to backing our firefighters with real, sustained support — in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania,” said Commissioner Thomas Cook.“In recent years, the Commonwealth has invested nearly $150 million annually through grants, low-interest loans, and relief funding, while delivering more than one million hours of training each year to over 100,000 firefighters and emergency responders. These investments strengthen local departments, expand professional certifications, and ensure our first responders have the tools and training they need to keep our communities safe.”
“Standing with the men and women of the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire is one of the great privileges of my life. This station is where courage reports for duty every day, and today’s historic increase in state funding affirms that the work done here truly matters,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams. “Increasing annual support from $5 million to $7 million is a clear statement of confidence in this Department and the risks these firefighters take to protect our city. I am grateful to Governor Shapiro for recognizing that investing in the Harrisburg Fire Department is an investment in public safety, stability, and dignity.”
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Shapiro’s support for first responders across the Commonwealth:
- In the 2024-25 and 2025-26 budgets, the Governor invested $37.5 million in grants to over 2,500 local fire and EMS departments, supporting equipment, training, facility upgrades, and operational costs.
- In his first budget, the Governor secured an increase to the 911 surcharge, from $1.65 to $1.95 — increasing critical emergency funding for all 61 emergency call centers across the Commonwealth and strengthening emergency services in all 67 counties.
- In October 2024, the Governor signed legislation expanding worker’s compensation to include post-traumatic stress injuries for Pennsylvania’s first responders. The law took effect in October 2025.
"I want to congratulate the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire for receiving this additional funding. I also want to thank the Fire Chief and his amazing team for the service they provide to the city of Harrisburg and the surrounding area, and thank you to Governor Shapiro for being so supportive,” said Senator Patty Kim. “Last year, the Harrisburg Fire Department responded to 3,500 calls — with 500 of them being outside the city as mutual aid to our neighbors. I want to congratulate the fire department once again. I’m proud to be a longtime supporter."
“Thank you all for being here. It’s a great day to be in the city of Harrisburg, standing tall and celebrating this critical investment. First, I want to thank Governor Shapiro for his advocacy and support for this important budget line, and for his leadership over many years in recognizing the vital role our first responders play in our community every single day,” said Representative Nate Davidson. “To Chief Enterline and all the members of the Bureau, it is truly an honor to stand here with you today. Thank you for what you do to keep our community safe, every day.”
The Shapiro Administration remains focused on delivering for Pennsylvania’s first responders — ensuring firefighters have the tools, training, and support they need to protect their neighbors and communities, today and into the future.