News Release
For Immediate Release
January 20, 2012
Contact: Aaron Zappia
(215) 657-7700

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State Senators Greenleaf and Rafferty Sponsor Grant for Second Alarmer's Rescue Squad

Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf and Senator John Rafferty joined together to sponsor a $500,000 state grant for the Second Alarmers' Rescue Squad (SARS), one of the region's largest private not-for-profit Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Second Alarmer's Rescue Squad requested the funding to construct a facility in Whitpain Township.  Senator Greenleaf has a long history of supporting SARS, which is headquartered in Upper Moreland Township and also has a station in Hatboro Borough.  The organization just completed major renovations to the Hatboro station.

SARS responds to over 12,000 emergency 911 incidents each year.  SARS is composed of 100 volunteer and 123 career members, delivering service from five stations with 22 vehicles, including twelve advanced life support ambulances.

SARS provides crucial life saving Emergency Medical and Rescue Services to over 130,000 residents, in 55,371 households of the 56.68 square mile area of Abington, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland and Whitpain Townships as well as the Boroughs of Hatboro, Jenkintown and Rockledge.  SARS is also the primary contracted EMS and rescue company for 15 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike from the Willow Grove Inter-change.

"This funding is vital to SARS because they mainly depend on grants, donations, and service reimbursements.  SARS provides a crucial service that our lives depend on, and I am pleased that Senator Rafferty and I could provide them with the resources to enhance their operation."

The funding is awarded through Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program (RACP)—a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects.  A project is eligible for RACP funding only if it has been written into an act—such as a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act—passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.  The organization or local government that receives the grant must provide matching funds to be eligible for an RACP grant.