Blair County seeks $952,390 LSA grant to replace fire radios; commissioners flag funding limits

Blair County commissioners voted Oct. 23 to approve submitting a Local Share Account (LSA) grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Commonwealth Financing Authority for $952,390 to replace mobile radios used by local fire departments.

The application, presented by county staff, would make the county the primary sponsor on behalf of area fire companies as part of the Blair County Regional Fire Radio Project. "We are the primary sponsor on behalf of the fire departments," a county staff member said when describing the request and background for the application.

During discussion, one commissioner thanked colleagues for prioritizing the radios but warned of broader funding challenges. "LSA funding is oversubscribed, and it's very difficult to get," the commissioner said, adding that many emergency services funding streams are "not sustainable" and that securing equipment will remain a lengthy process without additional support.

The board chair stressed the county's ongoing efforts to pursue policy changes at the state level and to shift certain telecommunications fees to better fund 9‑1‑1 and Emergency Management services. "As a result, we're asking that that just be moved to, charge to be charged to cell phones, and that would then help to fund the entire EMA and 9‑1‑1 departments throughout the Commonwealth," the chair said.

The motion to approve the LSA grant submission was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript.

What happens next: staff will submit the LSA application to DCED/CFA; commissioners noted that award of the funds is uncertain because LSA rounds are competitive and oversubscribed.